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Texans React to Big DeMeco Ryans Announcement on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated May 29, 2025 2:53 PM ET

It was certainly a solid year for the Houston Texans in 2024, compiling a 10-7 record, finishing in first place in the AFC South, and earning a playoff appearance, which they eventually lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 23-14 in the Divisional Round.

Much of their success can be easily attributed to head coach DeMeco Ryans, who has helped the franchise produce back-to-back winning seasons after an 11-38 record from 2020 to 2022.

However, given his success as a head coach, another part of his football life was honored on Friday, as it was announced he would be entered into the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame.

There's no doubt that it's an impressive accolade to receive, and it even drew a reaction from the Texans, who congratulated Ryans via a social media post on Thursday.

Officially part of Cotton Bowl history!

Back in 2006, Coach Ryans helped lead Alabama to their 70th Cotton Bowl win, locking down the nation’s top passing offense in the process.

Congrats to Coach Ryans on being a 2025 inductee into the Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/L6AZ84rcp9
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 29, 2025

Of course, he's also earning this honor for good reason, as he was a main contributor to helping the Alabama Crimson Tide defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Cotton Bowl to cap off the 2005 season.

In the 13-10 win, Ryans would end up being named the game's defensive MVP after accumulating seven total tackles, two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

That entire season, he proved to be one of the best linebackers in college football, earning All-America honors while racking up 76 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and one interception.

Now flashing forward two decades, he and the Texans face some major expectations in 2025, as ESPN BET gives them the best odds (+105) of winning the AFC South, and they are tied for 11th-best odds (+2500) to win the Super Bowl.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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