Better than Nick Saban? Will Anderson Jr. has high praise for DeMeco Ryans

The accolades flowed for Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr.’s college coach when he retired earlier this month. But Anderson said his NFL coach, DeMeco Ryans, doesn’t have to take a backseat to anybody – not even Nick Saban.

For Ryans’ first season as head coach, Anderson, an Alabama native, was selected third overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Texans. The coach “overly exceeded” Anderson’s expectations, according to him.

Anderson stated on Monday, “I don’t rank all the head coaches I’ve ever had, but, man, he’s so up there.” I’m telling you, dude—he might be the best, buddy, even better than coach Saban, haha. He’s just a really kind guy. He’s a pretty kind guy.

“And whenever I tell people this, they always ask, ‘How’s coach Ryans?'” ‘Really, dude, I see him as a coach, but I also see him as a player,’ I reply. In fact, at times I still think of him as the team’s captain because that’s

the way he approaches us. Like he approaches us like he still is playing the game. That’s why it’s so easy for all of us to comprehend and understand how he operates and what he wants to get done because he commands that type of excellence and expectation and standard with everybody throughout the whole organization. And he can coach you. He’s been in the league. He knows, and he knows how to coach.

“And I also think another thing I respect about him is the way he cares about his players, the way he loves his players. He wants it so bad, he just gives all that love and energy into his players, and I know it makes us want to keep playing for him.”

Ryans, an All-American at Alabama, played linebacker in the NFL for ten seasons and captained the Texans. After winning three games in 2022, he took over as head coach of the Houston Texans, who went on to win 10 games, win the AFC South, and defeat the Cleveland Browns 45-14 in the opening round of the playoffs.

“It’s crazy because me and (linebacker) Christian Harris were just talking, and he’s like, ‘Bro, I don’t think people understand how much better we’re going to be next year,'” Anderson remarked. “I’m very encouraged.”

Saturday’s 34-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens marked the end of the Texans’ season.

“I was crying after the game, and (quarterback C.J. Stroud) wasn’t crying,” Anderson said. “He came and said, ‘You good. We good. We straight. We going to be good next year.’ And I’m like, ‘My bad. Cap said we going to be good next year.’ I dried my tears up and just looked at it from his perspective that he gave me after we talked. And he just was like, ‘Bro, just think about how much we’ve come from, how much better we’re going to be next year. We’re headed in the right direction.’”

Stroud joined Houston in the draft one pick ahead of Anderson and passed for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 regular-season games, then had 449 passing yards with three TDs and no interceptions in two postseason games.

“Came in as a rookie, changed the whole trajectory of this team,” Anderson said. “Leader, captain as a rookie, passing yards, all these records he set, the man he is, the player he is, the type of teammate he is, it just speaks volumes to him and his family. I know he’s strong in his faith.

“But when you watch C.J. play, you don’t see a rookie on the field. When you see C.J. walk through the building, you don’t see a rookie. When you see him interacting with people, you don’t see a rookie. You see a guy who comes to work every day, who’s about his business and just wants to make others around him better.”

Despite injuries he had late in the season, Anderson had a strong rookie year in the NFL, recording seven sacks, ten tackles for loss, and 22 quarterback hits. The greatest pass-rusher in Houston history, J.J. Watt, finished his debut season with 5.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 19 quarterback hits. With 20.5 sacks and 39 tackles for loss in his second season, Watt led the NFL in both categories.

“I feel really encouraged,” Anderson remarked. “Even just observing the progress made thus far and all of that is amazing. For me, though, it just comes down to focusing, persevering, and finishing my own race. You have to focus on running Will Anderson’s race and not get distracted by what other people are doing.