The Texans are kicking their coaching search into high gear as they seek a replacement for the recently fired Lovie Smith.
Houston has requested permission to interview four different assistants around the league for its head coaching position, according to reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The most familiar name to Texans fans among the quartet of prospective candidates is 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Ryans, a linebacker for 10 years in the NFL, made the Pro Bowl in 2007 and ’09 while playing for Houston.