San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is expected to be a hot name in NFL head coaching searches. The Denver Broncos and Houston Texans have already formally requested permission to interview Ryans for their vacancies. However, right now, the defensive coordinator is focused on his next challenge—beating the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
"I'm thankful and happy to be in the playoffs at this time," Ryans told reporters on Wednesday. "The interviews and those things, they'll take care of themselves at the right time. The focus is all about Seattle for me. It's all about that, what can we do. How can I help our guys be in position to go and win this game on Saturday? That's the focus. The interviews, all those things, they'll take care of themselves."
Ryans is honored that he is held in such high esteem around the league. The 49ers defense is the best in the NFL, ranking No. 1 in yards and points allowed per game. Much of that is due to the impressive job the coach has been doing.
"It's very humbling to be able to get requests for head coaching interviews," Ryans said. "It's humbling when you think about a lot of guys who have coached before me, and a lot of guys put in a lot of years."
Ryans pointed to 49ers running backs coach Bobby Turner as an example. Turner has been coaching in the NFL since 1995, churning out top running backs at every NFL stop. He is among the most respected coaches in the league.
"I think about guys like that, and them not being able to get the opportunity, and me truly being able to go represent for them," Ryans said. "That's what it means. It means a lot for the other guys who have been before me, and it's special to be able to be in a select group, to have head coaching interviews, and people requesting. It's a special moment. It's a proud moment. And I'm very thankful and grateful to be spoken of in that light."