Expect San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to be a hot name in head coaching searches. In fact, he already has his first inquiry. According to Mike Klis of 9News in the Denver area, the Denver Broncos have formally requested permission to interview Ryans for their head coaching vacancy.
Per source, Broncos have formally requested permission to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Rams DC Rahim Morris.#9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) January 9, 2023
The Broncos aren't the only ones that might be interested in Ryans. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Ryans could become a candidate for the Houston Texans' head coach job.
"He's looking for the right spot, the right owner," Pelissero said of Ryans. "Could it be potentially a return to Houston. That is something we'll be keeping an eye on."
ESPN's Adam Schefter later confirmed the Texans' interest in Ryans.
A potential reunion? Texans have put in permission to interview 49ers' DC DeMeco Ryans for their HC job, per league sources. Ryans was a former Texans' standout.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 9, 2023
Ryans is in his second season as the 49ers' defensive coordinator, and teams were already interested last offseason, including the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders.
Under Ryans, the 49ers finished the season with the top-ranked defense. They ranked No. 1 in total yards allowed (not counting the Buffalo Bills, who played one fewer game) and points allowed.
After his 10 seasons as an NFL linebacker, Ryans started his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach with San Francisco in 2017, working his way up to inside linebackers coach and then taking over as defensive coordinator when Robert Saleh left to become the head coach of the New York Jets.