Ex-49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans wins NFL Assistant Coach of the Year

Former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was named the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year at Thursday’s 12th annual NFL Honors ceremony. He beat out two offensive coordinators, Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions and Shane Steichen of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ryans is now the head coach of the Houston Texans after guiding the top-ranked 49ers defense in 2022. It was his second season as a defensive coordinator.

The 49ers defense finished the 2022 regular season ranked No. 1 in points (16.3) and yards (300.6) allowed per game. It ranked No. 2 in rushing yards allowed (77.7 yards per game) and tied with the Tennessee Titans for No. 1 in rushing yards allowed per attempt (3.4). The unit’s 20 interceptions tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most in the NFL.

“I love DeMeco,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said last week. “One of the best coaches I’ve ever been around, best people I’ve ever been around. Him and Jamila (his wife) mean the world to us, and I really wish they weren’t going, but it’s more than deserved and more than earned. And I think [the Texans] made the best hire by far that was available because DeMeco is going to be a great one. He already has been.”

Ryans joined Shanahan’s staff in 2017, serving as a defensive quality control coach (2017) and a linebackers coach (2018-20) before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2021.