How Texans’ DeMeco Ryans created a pathway for minority NFL head coaches

Eric Williams

NFC West Writer

Henry McKenna

AFC East Reporter

In an offseason that has focused on where in the world Taylor and Travis are and why Justin unfollowed the Bears on Instagram, significant changes are happening in the NFL. That’s especially true on the sidelines, where legendary coaches Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll have exited after decades in the spotlight.

The result has been a changing of the guard, perhaps more extensive than anticipated. Young head coaches who are former NFL players have become a trend. And, most significantly, there has been an uptick in the hiring of minority head coaches. 

While the league has long struggled to establish a pipeline of viable minority candidates, one instant success story might have helped crack the door open a little wider. DeMeco Ryans — a young minority head coach and former NFL Pro Bowler — turned around the Houston Texans in one season, taking them to the playoffs and a wid-card win after inheriting a 3-13 team. 

“DeMeco is a leader,” Anthony Lynn, who coached with Ryans as part of the San Francisco 49ers staff two seasons ago, told FOX Sports. “He’s an intelligent football coach, like he was an intelligent football player. I expected nothing but success from DeMeco. He is so sharp and impressive.

“Guys respect him. He had success as a coordinator, and he always put guys in position to have success. And that’s how you get the attention of NFL players — if you help them become better players. And when you can do that and be as sharp as he is organizationally, that’s all good.” 

After Ryans’ success and in a copycat league, is it a coincidence that four of the eight new head coaches are people of color? That includes three Black head coaches: Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders, Raheem Morris of the Atlanta Falcons and Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots. Dave Canales, who is Mexican-American,…


Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/how-texans-demeco-ryans-created-a-pathway-for-minority-nfl-head-coaches

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Publish date : 2024-02-27 14:31:16

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