DeMeco Ryans Named AP NFL Coach of the Year Finalist
In this story:
The Houston Texans had one of the biggest turnarounds in the modern era of the NFL this season, going from 3-13-1 in 2022 under Lovie Smith to 10-7, becoming AFC South Division champions and Wild Card playoff round winners along the way.
And as a result, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is beginning to earn some recognition.
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans on the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium.
Mandatory Credit Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
On Thursday, Ryans was named a finalist for the AP NFL Coach of the Year, joining Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions, John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens, Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers, and Cleveland Browns coach, Kevin Stefanski.
Finalists were determined through The AP's revamped voting system, which asks voters to rank their top five picks for MVP and top three for other awards. The top five move on to the final round, where the winners will be announced at the 13th annual NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 8, 2024.
Ryans was also joined on the AP finalist list by his star rookie duo of quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr., both of whom are finalists for the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards, respectively. Both are also considered favorites to take home their respective awards.
Ryans is no stranger to the NFL Coach of the Year honors either.
Last season as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, Ryans was named the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year after fielding one of the league's best defenses and helping his team reach Super Bowl LVII.
Ryans then parlayed that into the head coaching job in Houston, where the Texans are now reaping the benefits from one of the NFL's brightest young coaching stars.
