Houston Texans head coach and former Alabama Crimson Tide star linebacker DeMeco Ryans has been named the NFL Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.

Ryans was named a finalist for the AP NFL Coach of the Year as well, which will not be announced until February 8th.

Ryans led Houston to a 10-7 record and their first playoff appearance since 2019 in his first year as an NFL head coach. Previously, he served as the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, where he was named the AP Assistant Coach of the Year in 2022 before getting the Texans job. 

He also helped to guide Alabama rookie pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. to a successful rookie season, with Anderson being nominated for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award as well.

Ryans played at Alabama from 2002-05 and won a number of accolades during his time in crimson, including being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American in 2005.

In his final game at Alabama, he was named the defensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl against Texas Tech, a game the Tide won 13-10.

Ryans would go on to have a decade long NFL career, where he was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 and first team All-Pro in 2007 for the Texans, the team he currently coaches.

After an extremely successful year one as a head coach and just 39 years old, Ryans is considered one of the brightest young minds in the NFL today.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP