(SportsRadio 610) - DeMeco Ryans’ first day of training camp gave him a feeling of déjà vu all over again, as the late, great Yogi Berra would have explained it.
The parallels between Ryans’ first training camp as a player were eerily similar to what he experienced on his first day of camp as the Texans’ new head coach.
On July 30, 2006, Ryans walked across the bridge over Kirby Drive -- from NRG Stadium to Houston Methodist Training center -- as a second-round draft choice who would play linebacker well enough to become NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
On Wednesday, Ryans made the same trip as a first-time head coach charged with revitalizing a team that’s gone 11-38-1 over the last three seasons.
“The first day is special, kind of like my first day playing here,” Ryans said after practice. “I walked across that bridge in 2006 with the same feeling I had today – a little nervousness about how it was going to go but still so excited about the group of men I get to work with. Today, I came across that bridge experiencing some nervousness about the first day but also feeling so much excitement about this sustained feeling I have to coach these guys.”
Since the Texans hired Ryans in January, his life has been a whirlwind of work-related activity, but after the offseason program ended with the mandatory minicamp, he was able to get in some fun time with his family. They went to Miami and took a five-day Disney cruise.
“It was awesome,” Ryans said, “but now I’m ready to go.”
There hasn’t been this kind of excitement for a new Texans’ coach since Gary Kubiak was hired in 2006. Ryans played a key role in helping Kubiak turn around a 2-14 team and ignite the Texans to their first AFC South title and their first playoff victory.
Like Kubiak, Ryans had a plan for his first day of camp that included spending time on both sides of the ball.
“As I came over the bridge today, my plan was to make sure I was more involved with the defense,” Ryans said. “In the offseason, between hiring coaches and acquiring players, I didn’t have as much time as I wanted for the defense. Today, I called plays and I want to make sure the guys understand my philosophy and how I view the game. I want to make sure I have a tight-knit relationship with the guys so they can understand what I’m looking for. I also wanted to watch the offense operate as well.”
Even though Ryans will keep up with the offense, he’s got a lot of confidence in his new coordinator, Bobby Slowik, who followed him from San Francisco, where they worked together for six years.
“Being a head coach, I'm responsible for it all -- offense, defense and special teams,” he said. “I don't just turn my eye to the offense or the special teams, right? I make sure I'm available to help out to see how their progress is going in all three phases of the game.”
Ryans disclosed Wednesday what just about everyone predicted, that he’ll call the defensive plays. Because he was so good at it in his two seasons as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, it would have been foolish for him to step away from that role – no offense to new coordinator Matt Burke, of course.
No matter how much fun he had on the Disney cruise with his family, Ryans was eager to get back to work and get ready for his first training camp. He didn’t have a problem sleeping Tuesday night.
“I put the kids to bed and said, ‘Daddy has to go to sleep, too, because he’s got a big day tomorrow,” he said. “I didn’t stay asleep for long. I woke up at 3.”
And he headed for NRG Stadium.
“When I first came in as a rookie, it was coach Kubiak’s first year taking over,” he said. “There was a lot of change. You have to implement your style of play, how you want to play, how you want guys to prepare. It takes time to put your imprint on the team.
“The temperature definitely hasn't changed from 2006. Still hot, tough practices in Houston – things a lot of other teams don't have to deal with. Similarities from 2006 to 2023? We still have a bunch of hungry young men who’re looking to give their best for H-Town.”
H-Town loves Ryans. So far. He hasn’t coached a game. Janice, Hannah and Cal McNair, as well as general manager Nick Caserio, are convinced Ryans will be a winner who can transform the Texans into a perennial playoff team that can contend for the Super Bowl. Everyone loves the buzz that was created as soon as Ryans was hired.
“Going around town, there's excitement in the city,” Ryans said. “I can feel it from our fans. Any time I'm able to interact with our fans, which is very important to me because they drive and promote our game. I'm thankful for the support of our fans. They're fired up. They lift me up because I see there's hope. I want to be able to drive that hope along.”
All aboard the DeMeco Train.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and before every practice during training camp on Texans Radio. He also writes three columns a week and does two Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.