DeMeco EXCLUSIVE: ‘That’s My Heart!’ 3 Traits Coach Used in Texans Fix
HOUSTON — It did not take long for Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans to develop a bond with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Shortly after the 2023 NFL Draft, Ryans met with Stroud in his office.
He was four months into his tenure as coach of the Texans. The organization had tasked Ryans to right the ship of a franchise that had spent the previous three years in football purgatory, highlighted by a combined 11 wins since 2020.
Stroud knew going into the meeting that Ryans wanted to present his vision on revamping the franchise. But during the discussion, Ryans shared a Bible scripture that encouraged Stroud to remain steadfast and steady as he began to take the helm as Houston's franchise quarterback.
The displaying of faith helped Ryans gain the trust and relationship with Stroud. However, his faith is one of three essential characteristics that have led to a successful first season as coach of the Texans.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium.
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"Throughout my entire life, I know the success and everything that I've gotten isn't about me — I truly believe God has paved a path for me," Ryans told Texans Daily. "He has ordered my steps. I have continued to trust in him and rely on him. I have this confidence that everything is going to be alright.
“I have never been worried about anything because I know whose side I am on."
Ryans orchestrated one of the most significant one-year turnarounds in league history. Since 2010, the average record for first-year coaches has been 6-10, while 22 percent have reached the postseason — per Wegryn Enterprise.
In their first year under Ryans, the Texans won 10 games, marking the fifth double-digit winning season in franchise history. They also won the AFC South title and advanced to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Ryans expressed his faith with each milestone. However, to help players reach their potential while improving their skill set, Ryans had to tap into his love for teaching, which has become his most prominent attribute as a head coach.
"I told ‘Meco’ I really appreciate him for the trust," Stroud said during exit interviews. "That’s one thing in football – that’s probably the main thing that you need is trust. I appreciate him for trusting me, and he knows that I trust him tremendously.
"Any decision that he makes, I know that it’s at the forefront of what’s best for the team. I’m excited to build with him. I think it’s going to be a great dynasty that hopefully we build, and I’m excited for that."
The Love of Teaching
The Texans hired Ryans on Jan. 31, 2023, intending to have their former All-Pro linebacker bring relevancy back to the franchise - with a coach who has a deep passion for teaching.
Even as a player, Ryans felt it was right to help develop guys who played alongside him — an attribute that stemmed from his rookie season in 2006.
"Truly, that’s my heart — that’s why I do it," Ryans told Texans Daily. "It’s about serving the players, helping them to further their careers, be the best that they can be – that’s what drives me every day. You talk about developing young players. That’s where my drive is. That’s where my passion is."
Several veterans took Ryans under their wings to teach him the pros and cons of exceeding on an NFL level — both on and off the field. His teachings inside NRG Stadium have played a role in several players reaching career milestones in 2023.
However, during his playing days for the Texans, Ryans used to take trips to Alabama to help players from his alma mater, assisting with team drills and on-field workouts. While in attendance, he developed a relationship with defensive back Kareem Jackson.
Whether a student-athlete working out at the Thomas-Drew Practice facility or teammates as first-round picks from 2010 to 2012, Jackson had an early glimpse of the characteristics that led to Ryans' coaching career over a decade later.
Redskins wide receiver Anthony Armstrong (13) catches a pass as Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) defends in the second half at FedEx Field.
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"He was kind of like a coach then, he was the captain and leader on defense," Jackson told Texans Daily. "He was really smart and brought a ton of energy every day. He made you want to come to work and have fun. I leaned on him a lot in our locker room. He was a great leader then. He is a great leader now.
"It is easy to connect with him because of what he brought as a coach —he brought those same things as a player. The energy and enthusiasm are just really encouraging. It makes it fun to come to work and play for him."
Jackson noted that Ryans' experience as a player who excelled in their respective sport played a significant role when learning under the former Pro Bowl linebacker.
Ryans helped Jackson establish the groundwork to a 14-year career. The lessons he poured into Jackson as a college prospect and teammate are similar to his teachings working alongside second-year linebacker Christian Harris.
Applying Ryans' lessons helped Harris embark on a breakout season. The former Alabama prospect finished his second year with 101 tackles, 65 solo hits, seven pass deflections and two sacks.
The highlight of Harris' season came during the Texans' Wild Card victory against the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 13. With 4:06 left in the third quarter, Harris recorded Houston's second pick-six of the night by returning a 36-yard touchdown.
"He has helped me in every single area of my game," Harris said. "He has had a lot of experience and success in this league. For me to play his position in this league while still learning — it has really been a blessing. I am truly grateful for everything that he teaches."
Setting a New Culture
Brevin Jordan was home in Las Vegas when he received the news that the Texans had hired Ryans as their new head coach. The third-year tight end was one of a handful of players who experienced the dispiriting two seasons that featured consistent losing and a revolving door of one-and-done coaches.
His arrival had Jordan thrilled to begin off-season workouts. He knew after the initial team meeting with Ryans that the franchise's culture changed due to his faith and SWARM mentality.
The X's and O's of football were the easy part for Ryans, but his biggest challenge was changing the team's dreary culture.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans throws the challenge flag on a play as the Texans play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium.
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"Knowing that he is a man of God and that we are brothers in Christ, it was a huge deal," Jordan told Texans Daily. "To be strong about his faith and vocal about it, there are not a lot of guys who do that in the league. It was just one of those things where you go, 'Man, that's my coach.' There's a lot of respect that comes with that. I remember the SWARM mentality. I remember he kept repeating that from Day 1 — it is what we live by. With him, we can accomplish anything we want."
From the moment he walked in, Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil credited Ryans for bringing "a whole new vibe" to NRG Stadium during mandatory minicamp. Safety Jimmie Ward credited Ryans for his free agency decision to join the Texans. Rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. knew he wanted to be a Texan after meeting Ryans for the first time during his top-30 visit in April.
In just one year, Ryans exceeded their lofty expectations. And for the first time in years, Texan players had a coach that made them ecstatic to take the field each Sunday draped in Houston's deep steel blue and battle red uniforms.
Ryans has set the bar high for himself. His accomplishments have the general public pondering how he can replicate or surpass the success of his first season.
However, a coach cannot establish a legacy by the triumphs or failures of year one. The ability to build sustainable success throughout their tenure is the most significant intangible that judges a coach's tenure.
Ryans doesn't know what the future holds. But as long as he can take the helm as coach of the Texans, he will remain steadfast in his faith while guiding players with his teaching embedded in the team's vibrant culture.
"I told my team during our first meeting, 'I truly believe that God's favor is going to rest upon this team and guide us," Ryans said. "I believe in him to lead and guide what we are doing. When people start to talk about the expectations and stuff, it is not surprising to me because I know my faith, and that's in the creator who controls all."
