Star lineman says Texans HC DeMeco Ryans has changed the team's vibe
DeMeco Ryans knew he had his work cut out when he left the San Francisco 49ers to become the head coach of the Houston Texans.
But in the six months since he took the job, Ryans has piloted a culture shift in Houston — one that Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil called a breath of fresh air for the organization during a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show."
"It's a whole new vibe, man," Tunsil said. “DeMeco came in with that energy he brought from San Fran and just changed the whole vibe around the building, and that's something that we needed, especially since these last past three years we've been in a rut. So, DeMeco comes in the building, he brought some new coaches, we've got some new players. Man, it's just a whole new vibe that's in that building. It feels great to be there."
Ryans, who played for the Texans for six seasons and was a two-time Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro and the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006, is tasked with turning around a team that has posted three straight losing seasons. The Texans are on their fifth head coach since 2019. It appears he will have a longer leash than David Culley and Lovie Smith, each of whom were fired after just one season.
Ryans also has more to work with than his predecessors in terms of roster talent. Houston drafted quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge-rusher Will Anderson with the No. 2 and 3 overall picks, respectively, while upgrading at tight end (Dalton Schultz), guard (Shaq Mason), defensive tackle (Sheldon Rankins), linebacker (Denzel Perryman, Henry To’oTo’o) and safety (Jimmie Ward).
Houston hasn’t won more than four games in any of the last three seasons and has not finished higher than third in the AFC South since Bill O’Brien was fired. Fortunately for Ryans, the Texans have the third-easiest schedule in the NFL this coming season.
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