So many familiar faces are back at the University of Alabama, as they intend on helping Nick Saban return to the College Football Playoff and win his sixth national title for the Tide.
Of the names that were contacted, considered, or placed in the rumor mill, former Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans was not one of them.
A unanimous All-American and first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2005, Ryans guided the program to a 10-2 season that year (before sanctions) and came close to positioning it for a national championship.
His hand print and cleat print in enshrined at Denny Chimes as a team captain.
RELATED: Why hasn’t DeMeco Ryans been mentioned more for UA’s defensive staff?
After a successful 10-year career in the National Football League, the native of Bessemer, Ala., is currently a linebackers’ coach for the San Francisco 49ers.
The franchise lacks leadership at linebacker and despite having a quarterback in Jimmy Garapollo, the team tanked to a 4-12 record after his injury in 2018.
Should the Tide consider bringing Ryans’ intellect and passion back home to Tuscaloosa, it would provide much excitement to players and fans.
He understands what it takes to be a champion and is someone the University of Alabama identifies with.
In Wednesday’s airing of In My Own Words, Stephen Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine goes inside why a return of Ryans to the Crimson Tide is needed.
You can catch the audio version of the podcast on SoundCloud.
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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
