Everyone believed that DeMeco Ryans would eventually become one of the league’s best coaches once given the opportunity. Few thought he would stand out as a top leader after one season.
Ryans, who won the 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award as a member of the Houston Texans, brought back that same energy as the new head coach in 2023. The Texans catapulted up the ranks, winning 10 regular-season games and the AFC South division title after three underwhelming seasons.
Houston, headlined by Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., also bested the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round and kept things close against top-seed Baltimore in the first half on the road. Entering Year 2, all 31 other teams know Houston can fight back and contend for more than just a division title thanks to its coach.
CBS analyst Cody Benjamin views Ryans as already one of the league’s best, coming in at No. 13.
Ryans had been deemed a future head coach as far back as his days roaming NFL turf as a linebacker, and he delivered on the promise in his first year guiding Houston, ceding the offense to Bobby Slowik and MVP-like rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, while maximizing youngsters on his preferred side of the ball. Meeting even loftier expectations, perhaps with more aggressive in-game calls, is the next challenge.
As part of “Class A,” Benjamin points out that all 13 coaches aren’t flawless, but few franchises wouldn’t rush to them if on the market. Ryans, who just made the cut, still has room for improvement, but his physical coaching style and attention to detail in practice set the tone for a revamped year at NRG Stadium.
Houston is expecting better results on both sides after being aggressive in free agency. On offense, the Texans traded for Pro Bowlers Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs to maximize Stroud’s capabilities in the passing game.
Defensively, Houston agreed to terms with Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive lineman Denico Autry. Hunter, a native of Katy, is coming off a career season where he led the league in tackles for loss and finished top-five in sacks.
Al-Shaair finished top-five in tackles after agreeing to a one-year deal. Aurty, a chess-piece defensive lineman, finished with 11.5 sacks despite turning 33.
Seven of the 13 coaches in Benjamin’s “Class A” have yet to appear in a Super Bowl. Only four have raised the Lombardi Trophy.
The Texans return to NRG Stadium for the start of training camp on July 18.
