When the Texans plucked DeMeco Ryans away from his post as the 49ers defensive coordinator to be their fourth head coach in as many years, there was more intentionality behind the decision than had been in previous years. While Houston’s decisions to hire David Culley and, one year later, Lovie Smith were shocks and head scratchers, Ryans was a hot coaching name that made sense. Not only had he had nothing but success in San Francisco, but he intended to recreate that model in Houston.
That was behind his decision to tap Bobby Slowik to be his offensive coordinator.