Lovie Smith Fired / Head Coaching Search / DeMeco Ryans Hired!

[Keith]

@TomPelissero
#Lions OC Ben Johnson informed interested teams he’s staying in Detroit, per sources.

Johnson was slated to travel Wednesday to interview with the #Panthers. But he feels Detroit is building something special and wants to see it through. Should be a hot HC name again next year.
6:37 PM · Jan 17, 2023

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/sta...08570375593989
Odd. Could be a cynic and say Ben didn't like the Houston job, but he's walking away from at least three teams willing to interview him (Texans, Colts, & Panthers). Could say maybe he knows he isn't getting the job, but again, all three? And no word that the Lions are giving him more money to stay? Hmm.

Panthers guys think this means Payton is going to Carolina, which who knows maybe, but it would seem a little odd for the Saints to trade Payton within the division. I guess if I had to guess who was coming to Houston eventually, my guess would be Gannon today.

[Keith]

@RapSheet
Some of the coaching interviews scheduled for this week and weekend:
— #Giants OC Mike Kafka is set for interviews Sunday with #Colts, #Panthers and #Texans.
— #Giants DC Wink Martindale has #Colts on Sunday.
— #49ers DC DeMeco Ryans has the #Broncos today, #Texans on Friday.
7:32 AM · Jan 19, 2023

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1616066077556973568

So Ryans on Friday and Kafka on Sunday.

Word is the Broncos and Texans are willing to pay both the lofty salary demands of Payton as well as the draft pick compensation to the Saints. I think the Panthers will be too. I'd pick the Broncos as favorites of the three assuming he goes anywhere.

My preference is still Ryans, so I am of course encouraged he's at least interviewing. Still think Gannon is most likely, but I am intrigued by Kafka.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1616066077556973568

So Ryans on Friday and Kafka on Sunday.

Word is the Broncos and Texans are willing to pay both the lofty salary demands of Payton as well as the draft pick compensation to the Saints. I think the Panthers will be too. I'd pick the Broncos as favorites of the three assuming he goes anywhere.

My preference is still Ryans, so I am of course encouraged he's at least interviewing. Still think Gannon is most likely, but I am intrigued by Kafka.

My preference is Ryans too. If he won't come, I guess I don't mind losing a draft pick to get Sean Payton to be the adult in the room.

[chuck]

I'm hoping for Kafka because that would be too perfect.

[Keith]

Ryans and Kafka interviews have been completed. Apparently the Ryans interview was rather long. Then there was this:

@JayGlazer
49ers Def. Coord DeMeco Ryans had 4 HC interviews lined up yesterday, got through 1st two (Broncos and Texans) then canceled the other two remaining in Cards & Colts so he could spend rest of day working on today’s game vs Cowboys more
5:28 PM · Jan 22, 2023

https://twitter.com/JayGlazer/status...03145104957440
So... why did he schedule them if he knew he needed more time to game plan? The optimist here says that's how successful the interview was with the Texans. Plus, Glazer specifies the Cardinals and Colts interviews were canceled, not postponed.

[Keith]

Kafka will have a second interview on Tuesday, in person. Evero will have his second interview on Wednesday in person.

Since the Eagles and 49ers are still alive in the playoffs, Gannon, Steichen, and Ryan are unable to have a second interview, if desired, until next week.

Payton reportedly completed his first interview with the Panthers yesterday and may have one coming up with the Cardinals. Seems a second one with the Broncos is expected. No update on any second interview with the Texans.

[Keith]

Panthers have hired Frank Reich. Rumors swirling in Denver now that they favor DeMeco Ryans as their hire. Irsay rumored to want to bring back Jeff Saturday, so there's your new laughingstock.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Keith

Ryans and Kafka interviews have been completed. Apparently the Ryans interview was rather long. Then there was this:
https://twitter.com/JayGlazer/status...03145104957440
So... why did he schedule them if he knew he needed more time to game plan? The optimist here says that's how successful the interview was with the Texans. Plus, Glazer specifies the Cardinals and Colts interviews were canceled, not postponed.

Not a definitive answer to the cancel/postpone question, but if the 49ers make the Super Bowl then (from what I can tell) the Cardinals and Colts can’t have a first interview with him until after the Super Bowl. Only second interviews with coaches on the Super Bowl teams are allowed in the week between the conference championship and the Super Bowl, and only if the 49ers permit it. So I’m going to guess that even if those interviews were officially postponed, DeMeco had to understand that there’s a really good chance that they’d never happen.

[Blitzwood]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...b?platform=amp


“San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is considered the favorite for the Houston Texans' head-coaching job, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.“

Really hoping this pans out, usually reporting from Shefter spot on.

If it is, LFG!!!

[Keith]

@DavidGrzyTV
Jonathan Gannon to @BrelandFOX29 after the game.

“Philly is keeping me. Good bad or indifferent I’m staying here.”
5:50 PM · Jan 29, 2023

https://twitter.com/DavidGrzyTV/stat...45562244943872

Sounding more and more like the Texans will be hiring DeMeco Ryans as their new head coach. Dreams really do come true.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Keith

https://twitter.com/DavidGrzyTV/stat...45562244943872

Sounding more and more like the Texans will be hiring DeMeco Ryans as their new head coach. Dreams really do come true.

Maybe the Texans want DeMeco, but does DeMeco want the Texans as his new employer ? If not, dream on.

[Keith]

It's happening!!! Six years!!

@adamschefter
former 49ers’ defensive coordinator demeco ryans and the houston texans reached agreement today on a six-year deal, per sources. Texans have their new head coach.
3:24 pm · jan 31, 2023https://twitter.com/adamschefter/sta...33383439994880

[bikerack]

This won't ever really come out but credit Mrs. McNair (Bob's widow) with playing a part in getting Ryans back. She has always loved him like a son and has kept in touch with him since he left Houston. The feeling is very mutual between them.

Greg Grissom also did work behind the scenes to make it happen.

[bikerack]

Pep may stick around as QB coach. He doesn't want to uproot his son, who is a local HS QB.

It really depends on how many offensive coaches that Kyle Shanahan blocks from leaving SF.

[Keith]

How many Kubiaks are in play?

[Keith]

@jjones9
The Houston Texans have requested permission to interview Bengals WR coach Troy Walters for their offensive coordinator position, per source.
4:27 PM · Jan 31, 2023

https://twitter.com/jjones9/status/1620549324185964544

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Keith

https://twitter.com/jjones9/status/1620549324185964544

Troy Walters trivia: he is a product of College Station A&M Consolidated High School. His father was the Texas A&M DBs coach at the time. The WRs coach on that staff? An up-and-comer by the name of David Culley. The RBs coach (for part of the time)? Gary Kubiak. The OL coach? Mike Sherman, who would later hire Troy as A&M’s WRs coach.

[Warren]

@AaronWilson_NFL
#Texans requested permission to interview 49ers passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik, per a league source, in addition to Bengals receivers coach Troy Walters

https://twitter.com/aaronwilson_nfl/...___t8ktbqz-ZKg

Slowik’s father is also a longtime assistant coach (currently in the CFL), but no known A&M connections.

[Keith]

Aaron Wilson also reported added 49ers passing defense/secondary coach Cory Undlin and Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel as defensive coordinator candidates. Mentioned 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, but Niners may be looking to retain him. Undlin (Lions) and Manuel (Falcons) are former DCs, the latter a target to also join Frank Reich's staff as the Panthers DC.

The Texans have interest in 49ers defensive passing game specialist-secondary coach Cory Undlin and New York Jets safeties coach and former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel for their defensive coordinator job, according to sources.

Undlin, 51, was previously a defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions under former coach Matt Patricia before the staff was fired after the 2020 season. He has been an assistant coach for the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Lions and 49ers. ...

https://www.click2houston.com/sports...e-coordinator/

[Keith]

Patriots TE coach Nick Caley also said to have interviewed for the OC job. Coming from New England makes him sound like more of a Caserio guy unlike the others who seem like they have connections to DeMeco.