As the media waited in the Houston Texans dining facility, eating food provided by the organization before the introductory press conference of new head coach DeMeco Ryans, many were discussing what the former Houston Texans linebacker who was known as “Cap” (short for captain) would bring to the franchise within his first year.
Yes, they were familiar with what he had done on the field during his ten-year playing career and how he had excelled as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers as he earned Assistant Coach of the Year honors from the Pro Football Writers of America in his last season with the team but didn’t know if he would be able to revitalize an organization that had been through so much turmoil and adversity over the previous three seasons.
Many analysts from the national media believed that the Texans’ head coaching job was toxic and came with a lot of scrutiny, especially for African-American coaches who were already under the stigma that the only type of opportunities they get are the ones where the organizations are in disarray starting from the top. It didn’t make it any better that the last two head coaches (David Culley and Lovie Smith), who were African American, were only given one-year stints.
“I think, when I took over the job here, one thing I wanted to instill in the entire city was pride back into our team here,” said Texans HC DeMeco Ryans. “So, I want people around the city to be proud of the Texans, be able to wear their Texans gear and wear it proud.” #Sarge pic.twitter.com/paTdWqgcXh
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 17, 2024
Yet, it was the perfect situation and opportunity for Ryans, who has always taken pride in being a leader of men in the locker room, in team meetings, and on and off the field. He marveled at the chance to help the franchise that watched him play at the University of Alabama and drafted him in the second round (33rd overall) in the 2006 NFL draft.
So, as individuals gathered around the doors of the dining facility, it was almost an instant burst of energy that filled the room when Ryans walked in, flashing that million-dollar smile that he had carried with him throughout his lifetime.
With so many people rushing to introduce themselves, I strategically stayed toward the back of the group because I had one specific question to ask the former 2006 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year that I knew would undoubtedly break the ice.
“It is very nice to meet you, coach, and congratulations,” I said as I shook his hand. “I have one question before you walk away, ‘Who is more famous in Bessemer (Alabama), you or (hip hop artist) Gucci Mane?’”
Ryans immediately burst into laughter and responded, “It is definitely Gucci. Most people don’t even know that he is from there. I see you did your homework.”
Coach Ryans and I still laugh about our first encounter one year later.
First question I asked when I met Houston Texans HC DeMeco Ryans…
“Who is more famous in Bessemer, Alabama…You or Gucci Mane…
He cracked up laughing and said, “Gucci.” #Sarge— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) February 2, 2023
With the season that the Texans just completed by having double-digit wins (11) on the season, winning the AFC South division, and advancing to the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, Gucci Mane may soon have to relinquish the “Most Famous” title if Ryans can keep his team on this upward trajectory. He is a favorite to win the AP 2023 Coach of the Year Award and has already been voted Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.
“It’s a dream job because I’m here at home in H-Town,” Ryans said during his introductory press conference.
Trust Is A Must
One thing that the unstable Texans organization did not need was a fragile leader who was only going to offer them lip service and empty promises. Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair, his wife Hannah, and general manager Nick Caserio were looking for something other than a motivational speaker. They needed someone they could trust to coach a young roster of players, some of whom were still damaged by the previous head coaches.
When Ryans became available to be interviewed, the McNair’s knew they needed to use every available asset and resource to bring him back to a place he loved and called home. He was someone they trusted would work side-by-side with Caserio to construct a group that would put a winning product on the field, and he did just that with his star-studded rookie class that consisted of quarterback C.J. Stroud, defensive end Will Anderson Jr., and wide receiver Tank Dell.
“That’s one thing in football – that’s probably the main thing that you need is trust,” said Stroud during his exit interview about Ryans. “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.”
One year of DeMeco Ryans 🔥
♦️ AP Coach of the Year Finalist ⁰♦️ PFWA Coach of the Year ⁰♦️ Advanced to the Divisional Round ⁰♦️ First rookie HC and QB to win their division in NFL history pic.twitter.com/EfVvfMupWs— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 31, 2024
Stroud isn’t the only one who feels that way about Ryans; Anderson, who the Texans selected one pick after Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft, believes in his head coach and takes the opportunity to talk with him every chance. It is somewhat more personal for Anderson as he followed in the footsteps of Ryans, coming from a small town in Georgia (Hampton), playing linebacker at the University of Alabama, where he earned the same honors as Ryans by being named an All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All-SEC.
“Coach Meco [DeMeco Ryans] is a person I look up to and trust with everything because I know he always has my and the team’s best interest,” Anderson told TexansWire. “How he approaches us, and the game plan makes you want to play for him. His coaching style is one thing, but him as a man is what takes him to that next level. He isn’t just concerned about you as a football player but as a human being, and that means a lot to me.”
Tone Sets The Culture
Those sentiments expressed by Stroud and Anderson can be echoed from the locker room to the front office. Individuals I have spoken to throughout the organization talk very highly of him.
Ryans has a unique ability to switch from the intricacies and nuisances that come with the daily grind of coaching to just talking about life in general. He is seen as more than just a football coach when he walks through NRG Stadium because of his demeanor and relatability towards everyone, which he credits to his upbringing from his mother.
On the morning of the Texans’ final preseason away game against the New Orleans Saints, I was loading the car with luggage as my wife checked us out of the hotel we were staying in. As I put the last suitcase in the trunk, I heard my nickname, “Sarge,” being called, which was unusual because we were in New Orleans, a place I did not expect to be recognized. As I looked up to see who was calling my name, I saw a familiar face flashing his million-dollar smile.
Yes, you guessed it. Coach Ryans, who was out for a morning walk, saw me and decided to talk with me. It is rare for an NFL head coach to say anything to the media outside of the required press conferences, but Ryans is different than your average head coach.
“Let’s just go show love,” said Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. when I asked him how the rookies have changed the culture of the Texans off the field. “Whoever we walk by. The nutritionist, custodian…How can we make them feel loved by coming and working for the Texans?” #Sarge pic.twitter.com/HFculdEDyR
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 22, 2024
It is also a character trait he passed on to the rookies who consistently speak about being cordial to everyone throughout the organization. In the group text that Anderson and Stroud established, they reiterated on numerous occasions that their positive tone toward others determines how the atmosphere of the franchise will move forward.
“Me [Anderson] and C.J. always knew that the purpose in coming here was to change the culture and try to build a new foundation and get the guys going,” Anderson told Texans Wire earlier this year. “I think it starts with the draft class we have. Me and C.J. wanted to let the guys know what we are trying to do. This is what we are trying to accomplish, and it really starts with us.”
The Standard Has Been Set
Although the Texans’ season did not end the way that Ryans nor his players wanted it to, they exceeded expectations and have set the standard for next season. With the young core of players gaining another year of NFL experience and a taste of playoff football, Houston has established itself as a team to watch in the AFC in 2024. This is what the organization had envisioned when they started to put the plan together at the end of the 2022 season.
“Figuring out what we needed for this team and this city,” said Hannah McNair, Vice President, Houston Texans Foundation, to the TexansWire about the head coaching interview process. “When you are planning all of that, it does take time. When you put a plan on paper, you have to figure out your needs. So, when we went through the process, DeMeco was that last piece of the puzzle to really bring it all together.”
