Former Tide LB DeMeco Ryans Promoted To NFL Defensive Coordinator

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Former Crimson Tide linebacker and NFL star DeMeco Ryans has been promoted to defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers after four years as inside linebackers coach and a defensive quality specialist, the team announced Monday.

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Ryans, 36, will take the place of Robert Saleh, who left San Francisco to become the next head coach for the New York Jets.

A native of Bessemer and graduate of Jess Lanier High School, Ryans played for the University of Alabama and coach Mike Shula from 2002 to 2005, where he was named First-Team All-SEC, a unanimous All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.

He would go on to be selected in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, beginning a career that would span 10 years with the Texans and Philadelphia Eagles.

During his NFL playing career, Ryans earned AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 and played in two Pro Bowls (2007 and 2009) for the Texas before being traded to Philadelphia.

Ryans has also worked closely over the last three seasons with San Francisco linebacker Fred Warner, who has led the team in tackles each year. In 2020 and under Ryans' tutelage, Warner earned AP First-Team All-Pro honors and the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.

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