The Houston Texans completed an interview Friday with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, according to ESPN reporter DJ Bien-Aime. Despite rumors swirling that Ryans would not interview with Houston, there is clearly mutual interest between the two parties regarding the Texans’ vacant head coaching position.
Ryans has a long history with the Texans, some good and some not. He was a star player after being drafted by Houston with the 33rd overall pick, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006. He was Pro Bowler and All-Pro for Houston before he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
With the Eagles, he suffered a career-altering Achilles tear in a game played at NRG Stadium in 2014. He would later sue the team and the league for $10 million over the notoriously poor grass playing surface at NRG Stadium. The playing surface at NRG Stadium was replaced with a new artificial surface during the 2015 season.
Ryans has become a star defensive coordinator in San Francisco since taking over the position following the departure of former Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to become the head coach of the New York Jets in January 2021.