Getty DeMeco Ryans at a Houston Astros game in May.
DeMeco Ryans brought with him from the San Francisco 49ers an infusion of energy as the new head coach of the Houston Texans, according to Whitney Mercilus, who played for the Texans from 2012 to 2021.
“I thought it was one of the greatest moves for the Texans,” Mercilus told Heavy as part of his partnership with USAA. “What better way for a former player who’s been a big part of the Texans franchise for a long number of periods — who also established the defensive culture, has the respect of coaches and teammates as well, and transitioning over to the coaching world and having success at San Fran — and now all of it is coming full circle in coming back to the Texans?”
Ryans had spent the past six years on the 49ers coaching staff, with the previous two seasons as defensive coordinator.
Where Whitney Mercilus Believes Ryans Can Revive Culture of Defense
The stars seemed to align for Ryans when he took over the head coaching job in Houston. Alongside Texans greats J.J. Watt and Brian Cushing, Ryans helped the franchise establish a culture of defense, one carried on by Mercilus coming out of the University of Illinois.
Mercilus, who had 57 sacks as a Texan, said Ryan’s first order of business in Houston is dipping back into what he learned as a player.
“Now, he can establish that culture the Texans have always needed from a head coaching perspective,” Mercilus told Heavy. “[He] has a great rapport with the [general manager] as well as far as how they do things and how they see players.”
Mercilus, who was released by the Texans after six games in 2021 and played four games for the Green Bay Packers that season, said Ryans has a knack for roster building.
“Some may not see talent, but he sees a lot of talent in bringing out the best of those men,” Mercilus said, adding: “I think it was a great move for the Texans and I think it’s going to be fruitful for them as well.”
Mercilus With USAA
Mercilus has joined numerous NFL players, including former Cleveland Browns great Joe Thomas and four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski, in partnering with USAA.
For USAA’s “Salute to Service” promotion, which “acknowledges the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support U.S. service members, veterans and their families,” Mercilus and Thomas undertook the K-9 40 Challenge at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio. The former players experienced a day of the life as a member of a military working dog unit, wearing the suits used to train the unit’s German shepherds to take a down a person.
#ad It was an honor to visit JBSA-Randolph with @USAA and witness a K-9 unit in action. I even got the chance to go head-to-head with @joethomas73 in a ‘K-9 40’! Thanks to the military working dogs & their handlers for their service. #USAApartner #SalutetoService
“The dogs were intense, but they have a sweet side to them as well,” Mercilus said.
He said he loved experiencing something new with K-9 unit personnel.
“Me loving different experiences, this was awesome to do this experience with the military dogs and service members as well with Joe Thomas,” Mercilus said, who also shared that he’s a German shepherd owner.