DeMeco Ryans Builds Staff in Houston: Candidates Emerging

The Houston Texans recently select their new head coach, DeMeco Ryans, who signed a six-year contract with the organization. With the focus now shifting to coordinators, the Texans are compiling a list of candidates for both positions. It seems like Ryans will be bringing in his staff, meaning the current offensive coordinator, Pep Hamilton, will most likely be on the outside looking in.

Slowik as Offensive Coordinator?

The Texans have reportedly requested an interview with 49ers passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik for the offensive coordinator (OC) job. Slowik has been with the 49ers since 2017, starting on the defensive side of the ball before moving to offense in 2019 and becoming the passing game coordinator in 2022. Jimmy Garoppolo and youngster Brock Purdy combined for 29 throwing touchdowns for the 49ers, who had a slew of quarterback ailments. Slowik could be a great fit for Ryans if he wants to implement some of San Francisco’s offensive philosophies.

Walters as Offensive Coordinator

Troy Walters, the wide receivers coach for the Bengals, has also been invited for a meeting by the Texans on the open position. Despite the Bengals’ investment in the receiver position, Walters has still managed to get the most out of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. The 46-year-old coach has limited NFL coaching experience but previously served as the offensive coordinator at UCF and Nebraska.

Marquand Manuel as Defensive Coordinator

As the 49ers did not have a defensive coordinator in 2022, with head coach Lovie Smith mostly responsible for defensive play-calling, Ryans will likely be looking for someone to help guide the defense. For the position of defensive coordinator (DC), the Texans have expressed interest in Marquand Manuel, the safeties coach for the Jets. Manuel entered the coaching profession as an assistant special teams coach for the Seahawks in 2012. He later became the Falcons’ defensive coordinator from 2017-18, but following a bottom-five performance in 2018, he was fired. Manuel then had a one-year stint as a DBs coach with the Eagles in 2020 before joining the Jets in 2021 and serving as their safeties coach for the past two seasons.

Cory Undlin as Defensive Coordinator

Cory Undlin, a 49ers passing game expert and secondary coach, has also drawn interest from the Texans for the DC position. Undlin has experience as a defensive coordinator, having held the position with the Lions in 2020, in addition to having collaborated closely with Ryans throughout the previous two years. Despite being fired, Undlin has rehabilitated his image with two successful seasons in San Francisco. The long-time coach has won Super Bowl rings with the Patriots and Eagles and has head coaching stints with the Browns, Jaguars, and Broncos.

Kris Kocurek and 49ers Coaches

The Texans have also shown interest in 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek for a defensive coaching position. Following Ryans’ transfer to Houston, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is anticipated to make an effort to keep his staff together. Ryans could also recruit 49ers defensive quality control coaches Stephen Adegoke and Andrew Hayes-Stoker to Houston, but not for the DC job.

Final Say

DeMeco Ryans have taken on the head coach role for the Houston Texans, and the focus has shifted to finding coordinators for the organization. Ryans is looking to bring in his staff and has already started reaching out to potential candidates. The Texans have requested interviews with 49ers passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik for the offensive coordinator job and Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters for the offensive coordinator job. For the defensive coordinator job, the Texans have shown interest in Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel and 49ers passing game specialist-secondary coach Cory Undlin. It remains to be seen what staff Ryans will ultimately bring in, but the team is actively working to find the best candidates to help lead the Texans to success.

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