Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is the easiest choice for NFL Coach of the Year for what he's done in his first season in Houston.
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Ryans, alongside rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, have made the Texans do a complete 180, going from a 3-13-1 record a year ago to 10-7 and a playoff win over the Cleveland Browns. Stroud can further solidify his Rookie of the Year campaign by beating the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL Divisional Round.
The 39-year-old Ryans wouldn't be where he is today without the support of his family, including his loving wife, Jamila Ryans.
Jamila Ryans is There For DeMeco Every Step of His Career
Carlyne Williams, Jamila Ryans, Chamon Jones and Jackie Fletcher attend the NBA and NFL Wives Holiday Cocktail Mixer at Pranna Restaurant in December 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images)
Ryans has done it all in his career. He was a terrific linebacker at Alabama before playing 10 seasons in the NFL, six with the Texans and four with the Philadelphia Eagles.
It was during his time in Philly that he and his wife, Jamila Ryans, officially tied the knot in 2013. According to her LinkedIn, she's a registered nurse in Pearland, Texas, which is just outside of Houston.
Ryans quickly worked his way up the coaching staff when he joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. By 2021, he served as the team's defensive coordinator before the Texans hired him in January 2023.
At Ryans' introductory press conference, he had high praise for his wife.
DeMeco Ryans says his wife, Jamila, “is a rock star.” pic.twitter.com/LsJrDF5Vwj
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) February 2, 2023
"She's a rock star," he said. "She's the one who really should be up here. She's been outstanding."
Jamila also gushed over her husband's work ethic when he was hired.
Jamila Ryans, DeMeco’s wife: “I’m just so proud of him. I’ve seen the sacrifice..To listen to him talk about it, everything he’s saying is 100% genuine and that is him, through and through.” pic.twitter.com/WgVfGK3ro7
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) February 3, 2023
DeMeco and Jamila Ryans Share Three Children
Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images
The Ryans family is a party of five. DeMeco and Jamila have two sons, MJ and Micah, and one daughter, Xia. When Ryans won his first playoff game as the Texans head coach, he was greeted by his family at NRG Stadium.
Ryans couldn't get enough of the moment, something he's been waiting for as a head coach.
DeMeco Ryans: “It was a special moment for us to get that first playoff win … & to see my family there at the tunnel, they mean everything to me. Their support, their sacrifice. My wife has allowed me to be in this position & do the work & spend the hours that I’ve spent…” pic.twitter.com/wVXfx5Sz6u
— Kim Davis (@kimydavis) January 18, 2024
"It was a very special moment for me to be able to share that with my kids," Ryans said in the postgame interview. "I was expecting them to be there...it caught me off guard but it was that 'wow' such an exciting surprise."
Whatever happens next against the Ravens, it's clear DeMeco Ryans is already winning at life. He's done a terrific job with the Texans this season and his a loving family watching him from the stands. The future is bright for the Ryans family in Houston.
