He solidified Alabama football in the early 2000s before Nick Saban arrived, but DeMeco Ryans loves what his Alma mater has become in the Saban era.
Ryans, a native of Bessemer, Ala., is a first-year head coach for the Houston Texans in the National Football League.
RELATED: DeMeco Ryans says Will Anderson is ‘way better than him’ for Texans in training camp
The 39-year-old worked his way up the coaching ranks as a defensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers.
He became one of the league’s best defensive coordinators from 2021 to 2022 before landing a head coaching job. Ryans was a decorative inside linebacker for the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005. He grew into a dominant force in ’05, pacing the Tide to an incredible season under Mike Shula. Alabama went 10-2 before sanctions and Ryans earned several individual honors, including SEC Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-SEC, and Unanimous All-American. He’s watched Coach Saban bring six national championships, eight SEC Championships, four Heisman Trophy winners, and many other awards to the program.
Ryans explained on Pardon My Take, a Barstool Sports podcast, what’s made him proud of Tide football under Saban.
Former Alabama LB DeMeco Ryans is proud of everything Saban’s built at his alma mater 💯
via: @PardonMyTake pic.twitter.com/JiGQ0Qn9o5
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) October 5, 2023
“I’ve been an Alabama fan since I was a young kid … I’m all in on Alabama football, and I’m proud of the success that they’ve had,” Ryans said.
Alabama fans were excited when Ryans selected former Crimson Tide star, Will Anderson, at No. 3 overall for the Texans in the NFL Draft. Anderson has an opportunity to be special under Ryans. He also has Henry To’oto’o, Christian Harris, and John Metchie in Houston as well. Ryans has the Texans looking competitive in the league, but that fire came from his time at Alabama.
RELATED: DeMeco Ryans is excited to see Christian Harris for the Texans
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
