(SportsRadio 610) - If not for Jets head coach Robert Saleh, there's a good chance DeMeco Ryans would not be coaching against him Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Before the Texans play the Jets to see if they can elevate their record to 8-5 and remain in contention for the AFC South title or a wild card playoff berth, here's some background on two coaches whose relationship dates back to 2006.
Ryans was a rookie linebacker with the Texans, and Saleh was in his second year as an assistant coach, his first in defensive quality control under first-year head coach Gary Kubiak. They spent five seasons working for Kubiak, including the last two when Saleh was the assistant linebackers coach. After the 2010 season, Saleh left for Seattle, and Ryans was traded to the Eagles one year later.
Flash forward to 2017 when another former Kubiak assistant, Kyle Shanahan, was hired as the 49ers' head coach. He hired Saleh as his defensive coordinator.
In 2016, Ryans was back in Houston after his 10-year playing career ended. He got a taste of coaching with his high school team in Alabama, and he was trying to figure out what he wanted to do when Saleh called.
Ryans had remained friends with Saleh and Johnny Holland, his linebackers coach with the Texans. Shanahan was getting the Texans' band back together with the 49ers, and he also hired Holland to coach linebackers.
"He's (Saleh) like, 'Hey, DeMeco, are you serious?'" Ryans said this week. "Are you sure you want to get in?' I owe a lot to him, and that's probably the reason I'm here because of him taking me under his wing and teaching me the ropes. Much credit to Saleh for that."
Ryans assured Saleh he was serious about getting into coaching. Then Holland called, too, and the full-court press was on before they turned it over to Shanahan to make the official offer of a job in defensive quality control.
"They (were) making sure I was all in on coaching because they know the dedication and the time it takes," Ryans said. "Saleh was all on board with it, and Johnny was, too."
Ryans accepted Shanahan's offer. Ryans worked in quality control for a year before moving to inside linebackers. When the Jets hired Saleh in 2021, Ryans was promoted to defensive coordinator and became one of the NFL's hottest head-coaching prospects.
"I'm very thankful for Kyle and Saleh giving me the opportunity," Ryans said. "They (Saleh and Holland) gave me great advice, and I learned a lot from both of those guys. I'm thankful for them for speaking on my behalf to Kyle – them twisting Kyle's arm a little to get me an opportunity."
Saleh and Holland didn't have to twist too hard.
Kubiak takes a lot of pride seeing his former players and coaches become head coaches in the NFL – Ryans, Saleh, Shanahan, Matt LaFleur (Packers) and Mike McDaniel (Dolphins).
"Looking back, I'm not surprised DeMeco and Robert are head coaches, but I think it's amazing how fast it's happened," Kubiak said Thursday. "I could see right away how hard they were willing to work. I could see they were extremely good men with high character and a lot of confidence in their ability. Watching them today, I can see how much they love to teacher and motivate. I'm so proud of them."
After spending nine years with Saleh as a player and coach, Ryans will be on the opposite sideline Sunday. The Texans are the biggest surprise in the NFL with their seven victories – the combined total of the last two seasons – and Ryans is a leading candidate to be voted NFL Coach of the Year.
Saleh's third season with the Jets began with so much promise that was short-lived because new quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon on the fourth play of the season. The Jets have scored two offensive touchdowns in their five-game losing streak that's left them as 3.5-point underdogs at home to the Texans.
"Ton of respect for Saleh and what he's done," Ryans said, sympathizing with the Jets' issues at quarterback and injuries in the offensive line. "I learned how to coach under Saleh. He taught me a lot when it comes to scheme, handling players (and)game planning. Just a great man off the field, too. Great father, great husband – a standup guy I have the utmost respect for."
Ryans said what he learned after playing for Saleh and coaching with him helped him become the Texans' head coach after only two seasons as a coordinator.
"Just how you teach players," Ryans said. "It's about not giving them so many things to work on at one time, teaching them to improve one thing. Each day, what's that one thing you're working on? That's something that stuck with me and resonates with players. They can go on the field, put it into action and accomplish that one thing, as opposed to trying to focus on five different things. You focus on one thing at a time, and you'll see those incremental improvements."
Ryans doesn't see his familiarity with Saleh being an advantage for either team.
"It's not about me and Saleh – we're not taking a snap," Ryans said. "Schematically, everybody kind of knows what everyone does. We don't have to make the plays -- it's all up to the players. And that's what this game is about. They've earned the right to be in this spot and play meaningful ball."
It's another must-win situation for the Texans. Defeat the Jets and tie for first place if the Jaguars lose at Cleveland. Lose and possibly fall behind Jacksonville and Indianapolis if the Colts win at Cincinnati. There are multiple possibilities, and Ryans knows the best way to handle them is to win – even if he has to beat a close friend and make his life even more miserable.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Monday, Thursday and Sunday on Texans Radio, also on SportsRadio 610. He writes five columns a week and does three Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.
