Two more NFL head coaching vacancies have been filled.
Days after the Carolina Panthers hired Frank Reich, the Denver Broncos hired former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, and the Houston Texans hired San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
Payton had the most successful track record of the coaches available, and the Broncos were the first team known to have interest in hiring him, with rumors swirling during the final weeks of the regular season.
He spent the past year as an analyst for Fox Sports after stepping down from a 15-year tenure in New Orleans, where he had a 152-89 record.
Since he still had years left on his contract with the Saints when he chose to walk away, the Broncos had to make a trade for him.
Denver will reportedly send a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick to New Orleans in exchange for Payton’s services and a 2024 third-round pick.
Payton joined the Saints in 2006, and the team became a powerhouse. The combination of Payton and quarterback Drew Brees brought New Orleans its first Super Bowl title in 2009, and it made the playoffs nine times.
Brees retired following the 2020 season, leaving Payton to find a new quarterback. The Saints went 9-8 and missed the playoffs in Payton’s final season, using a combination of Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, and rookie Ian Book.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was named his successor.
Before taking the job in New Orleans, Payton was an assistant for the Dallas Cowboys under Bill Parcells.
Now, he faces helping Russell Wilson rediscover what made him great in Seattle and igniting the Broncos’ offense.
DeMeco Ryans will be returning to a franchise with which he is familiar.
Ryans spent the first six seasons of his 10-year playing career with the Houston Texans, winning 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year and being named to two Pro Bowls. He has also made the second-most career tackles in team history.
The 49ers’ defense was a top-three unit in both seasons under Ryans, leading the league in total defense and points allowed this past season. Ryans joined the team as a defensive quality control coach in 2017 and spent the next three years as the inside linebackers coach.
San Francisco promoted him to defensive coordinator in 2021 after Robert Saleh left to take the head coaching job with the New York Jets.
“I’d like to first thank the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch for six incredible seasons where I grew as a coach and a man,” Ryans said in a statement released by the Texans. “I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished together, and I will always cherish the relationships I built there.”
“Being the head coach of the Houston Texans is my dream job and my family is thrilled to be back in H-Town,” he continued. “I have been around the game of football my entire life and I’ve always had a natural ability to lead others. I know what it takes to win and be successful in this league as both a player and coach.”
“We’re going to build a program filled with players who have a special work ethic and relentless mindset. I understand the responsibility I have to this organization and to the fans of Houston to build a winner and I can’t wait to get to work.”
“We are thrilled to welcome DeMeco Ryans as the new head coach of the Houston Texans,” added owner Cal McNair.
“For so many reasons, DeMeco is everything we are looking for in a leader and coach for our organization. He has a proven track record for developing high-quality players and constantly innovated his defensive scheme over the last six seasons in San Francisco.”
“We started this process with the goal of finding someone our fans and city can be proud of and we’ve done just that. While we received a lot of incredible feedback and support for DeMeco from different people, it was our discussions with him and his vision for our football team that made him the right coach to lead us as we continue to evolve as an organization. Congratulations to DeMeco and his family and welcome back to H-Town.”
