Amidst league-wide coaching chaos, the Texans' stability with DeMeco Ryans highlights their remarkable turnaround from franchise lows to a thriving present.
The NFL's 2026 hiring cycle has been one of the most volatile and voluminous ones in recent memory. Specific to head coaching vacancies, there was a record-tying 10 openings for the role across the league (AFC - 7, NFC - 3). They were:
- Arizona Cardinals (filled, Mike LaFleur)
- Atlanta Falcons (filled, Kevin Stefanski)
- Baltimore Ravens (filled, Jesse Minter)
- Buffalo Bills (filled, Joe Brady)
- Cleveland Browns (filled, Todd Monken)
- Las Vegas Raiders (filled, Klint Kubiak)
- Miami Dolphins (filled, Jeff Hafley)
- New York Giants (filled, John Harbaugh)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (filled, Mike McCarthy)
- Tennessee Titans (filled, Robert Saleh)
One team that was missing from the festivities were the Houston Texans, who have just completed their third consecutive season under head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Building From Chaos
Back in 2023, Ryans signed a six-year contract to become the sixth head coach in franchise history (and the fourth coach in four seasons). Before him, there was calamity inside the walls of NRG Stadium.
Former head coach Bill O'Brien was fired in 2020, followed by David Culley's ouster in 2022 and Lovie Smith's termination in 2023. All this happened while the team went a collective 11-38-1 from 2020-2023.
At the time, the Texans were seen as one of the three worst organizations in the sport, with many analysts wondering aloud why anyone would dare to step foot inside of Houston's operational facilities if they had any kind of credibility and/or other options.
The Rise of Ryans
Enter the former All-Pro linebacker in Ryans, whom the team drafted back in 2006 and had the fondest of memories with during his time in Houston (even though Ryans sued the team for an achilles injury suffered in 2014). He eventually was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 and was a quality addition for their defense until 2015.
After his 10-year playing career was complete, he then transitioned to becoming a defensive quality control coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. He was promoted twice within the organization (inside linebackers coach, defensive coordinator) before finally getting his chance to return home and coach the Texans in 2023.
Since his hire, the Texas have experienced the best three-year stretch in franchise history. Some brief highlights:
- Back-to-back AFC South Titles (2023-2024)
- Three consecutive AFC Playoff Berths (first time ever)
- Three consecutive 10+ win seasons (first time ever)
- #1 Overall total defense, #2 scoring defense (first time ever being top-two in both categories)
Texas-Sized Success
While there have certainly been bumps in the road, Ryans' tenure thus far has been a resounding success in the city of Houston. He's shown he tenacity of champions, charisma of a leader and the mental fortitude to help lead men through trials when the odds have been heavily stacked against them.
Whether it was making the postseason as a rookie head coach (with a rookie quarterback and rookie play-caller) or overcoming an 0-3 start for a playoff spot for the second time in franchise history (first time a single club has done it twice), Ryans has answered the call every single time and looks like he's only getting started with his group.
While the rest of the NFL has been scrambling to fill the void left by the departures of franchise leaders, Houston is continuing to build around theirs. The Texans have become one of the model franchises in the league due to the historic nature of their turnaround, and that's something that no one could've imagined being said a few years ago.
The disappointment of the AFC playoffs will sting for the entire offseason, as it should. However, there's no question at the moment that Ryans is the right man for the job.
Being able to maintain continuity in a league that overhauls itself on a yearly basis is one of the biggest advantages a team can have.
The Texans have that, and they're all the better for it.