Defenders for 49ers are ‘rolling’ with Ryans
Like his predecessor, Robert Saleh, rookie 49ers rookie defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, 36, is a relatively young, physically imposing defensive coordinator. He, too, has a shaved head. And he also will coach from the sideline instead of the press box and celebrate his players’ success with exuberance.
It remains to be seen if Ryans will punctuate big plays with quite the same chestbumping fervor as Saleh, who became a magnet for television cameras during his fourseason tenure with the 49ers. But the former Pro Bowl linebacker won’t be shy when it comes to greeting his players when they come to the sideline.
“Just naturally as a competitor, I’m going to be excited
and I’m going to be enthusiastic about that play,” Ryans said. “That’s just who I am as a person.”
There are clearly plenty of similarities. But it became obvious Wednesday, as Ryans spoke with reporters for the first time since he was promoted from inside linebackers coach in January, that he won’t be Saleh 2.0. Most notably, he’s tweaked the 43 defense Saleh oversaw so successfully that he was hired as the Jets’ head coach after a 2020 season in which the 49ers ranked fifth in yards allowed despite dealing with an inordinate number of injuries.
Saleh’s system was known for its simplicity. In fact, many players hailed his defense because they didn’t have to think their way through complex adjustments and could play fast. However, free safety Jimmie Ward, the 49ers’ longesttenured player, said Ryans was trying to make the defense “way more simple.” For his part, Ryans, without delving into specifics, said there would be other changes.
“You will see some similarities there, but you will see some wrinkles,” Ryans said. “You will see my brand of football on it … We’re going to let our defensive line get off the ball and attack, and we’re going to clean up things behind. But we will be a more
“We will be a more aggressive, attacking defense.”
DeMeco Ryans, 49ers defensive coordinator
aggressive, attacking defense.”
Ryans, who finished his 10season playing career in 2015, has enjoyed a rocketship ascent up the coaching ranks. He began his career as a lowlevel quality control coach with the 49ers in 2017 then spent three seasons as the inside linebackers coach. He’s now tasked with replacing Saleh, who led units that ranked in the top five in total defense in each of the past two seasons.
When asked about feeling pressure, Ryans, a team captain with the Texans and Eagles who was a decorated scholarathlete at Alabama, said his preparation would eliminate any nerves.
“Is there pressure? There’s no pressure,” Ryans said. “It’s just, ‘Have your prepared yourself for the moment?’ I think, for me, putting in the work now in the offseason (and) putting in the work during the season, you just put yourself in a position to where you feel as prepared as possible for each week.”
Ryans was the 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year and a twotime Pro Bowl selection during his sixseason tenure with the Texans. Cornerback Jason Verrett said Ryans commands respect because “he knows what it takes as a defensive player, he knows what it takes in the league.” Now, he’ll aim to prove he has what it takes to replicate Saleh’s success.
“I love him — (he’s a) great coach,” Ward said of Saleh. “But he’s on the Jets now. I wish him best, but at the end of the day, I’m gold and red over here. So I’m Team Meco. So whatever Meco says, I’m rolling with him.”