HOUSTON — Just a couple days after being honored as NFL 101 AFC Coach of the Year, DeMeco Ryans has another award for his mantle. He's now also the 2023 NFL Coach of the Year as voted on by Pro Football Writers of America.
Ryans was in his first season at the helm in Houston when the Texans ended a three-year streak of finishing last in the AFC South. Not only did they reverse the losing trend. They also finished the season 10-7, atop the AFC South. The Texans played their way into the postseason for the first time since the 2019 season and routed the Browns in the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated by the Ravens in Baltimore.
Editor's note: Video above is from DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud speaking after season ended against Baltimore.
Ryans joins Stroud, who was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Will Anderson, who earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, in being honored by the Pro Football Writers of America.
For Ryans, his first year as a head coach was with the team that drafted him. Ryans was drafted by Houston in 2006 and played with the Texans through 2011 before finishing his playing career in Philadelphia. He was defensive coordinator in San Francisco for two years before coming to Houston.
Ryans is also one of four Texans up for big AP end-of-season awards. He's a finalist for AP coach of the Year. Stroud is one of the finalists for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Anderson is up for Defensive Rookie of the Year and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year. Those awards will be announced at NFL Honors on Feb. 8. KHOU 11's Jason Bristol will be there.