DeMeco Ryans immersed himself in the San Francisco 49ers.
From 2017-22, Ryans was more than a defensive quality control coach, inside linebackers coach, and defensive coordinator. The former Pro Bowl linebacker was a key piece to the cohesion and determination throughout the coaching staff; a theme of commitment, dedication, and football knowledge replete in the organization thanks to the arrival of John Lynch as general manager.
The Tennessee Titans poached from the 49ers organization same as the Texans did in the 2023 offseason. However, the Titans were looking for a new general manager when they hired Ran Carthon as their new general manager.
Ryans spoke highly of the former 49ers director of pro personnel (2017-20) and later director of player personnel (2021-22).
“My relationship with Ran Carthon, we have a great relationship,” Ryans said. “Our families are really close. Ran is a great friend, a great mentor to me. I know Ran will be an awesome GM for the Titans because first and foremost he’s a great man.”
What will help Carthon excel for the Titans, in Ryans’ opinion, is his ability to connect and also relate to everyone.
“Ran is very relatable, very personable,” said Ryans. “Everybody is Ran’s best friend. He can connect with anyone. He always has a big smile on his face.”
Naturally the Titans did not hire Carthon merely for his affable personality. The job is all about football, and Ryans is confident Carthon will succeed there.
Said Ryans: “Ran knows talent. Ran knows how to evaluate talent, and working with him, we were constantly talking about different players, who we would acquire, who we wouldn’t acquire. There were a lot of conversations over the years with Ran.”
The Titans are AFC South adversaries of the Texans, and Ryans didn’t pull any punches about how far his support of Carthon would extend.
“I am pulling for Ran to do an outstanding job except for two games out of the year,” Ryans said. “It’ll be fun competing against him.”
