Can Houston Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans Be Next Mike Tomlin?

Could using the blueprint of the Steelers help the Houston Texans build sustainable success as a franchise?

HOUSTON — Nick Caserio has not shied away from revealing his desires for the Houston Texans. Since becoming the general manager in January 2021, Caserio has expressed interest in building a franchise with sustained success.

Caserio came to the Texans after spending two decades with the New England Patriots. He was a part of the franchise each moment they won six Super Bowl titles since 2001. But Caserio has shown more admiration for building a successful franchise equivalent to the Pittsburgh Steelers under coach Mike Tomlin.

Three games into the 2023 season, it appears that the hiring of coach DeMeco Ryans in January could be the groundwork for helping Caserio build a franchise that could replicate the success of its predecessors.

"Nobody respects what the Pittsburgh Steelers have done more than myself," Caserio said in January 2021. "When you look at Coach Tomlin, you look at the organization, basically three coaches over the course of the Rooney ownership. 

"Mike’s as good of a coach, I would say as good of a leader as there is in, forget about sports, probably in organizational behavior. I have a lot of respect and admiration."

The Steelers took a chance on Tomlin as a 36-year-old defensive coordinator from the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. Seventeen years later, Tomlin has become a Super Bowl-winning coach who never had a losing record.

The prolific execution of X's and O's has made Tomlin one of the top coaches in league history. But the time spent with future Hall-of-Famer Ben Roethlisberger playing under center has played a prominent part in Tomlin's success.

The coach and quarterback tandem is essential for any franchise hoping to establish long-term success. And in the midst of Ryans' first season, he has had the privilege of developing a relationship with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans shakes hands with quarterback C.J. Stroud

Stroud revealed that he and Ryans have communicated how they want to build the Texans into a prosperous organization. The conversations began during OTAs in May. Five months later, Stroud and Ryans have developed a strong relationship based on trust.

"DeMeco is definitely someone that I trust — He’s somebody who’s done it before, and he gets what we’re going through every week in and week out. He holds me to a standard, which I appreciate. He talks to me constantly about things I like, things I don’t like — just trying to make this Texans organization better."

When it comes to the Steelers, Ryans shares the same admiration as Caserio by describing Pittsburgh as a "model for all NFL teams."

The Texans understand they are still in the early stages of laying the groundwork for a successful franchise. For Ryans to meet Caserio's desires, the first step will be to match the Steelers' win total Sunday at NRG Stadium.

A Week 4 victory over the Steelers will become a testament to the Texans' ongoing development and growth — Ryans' two most essential attributes for success. 

"From our first game to the third game, I’ve seen growth, I’ve seen improvement, and that’s what you ask for as a coach," Ryans said. "It takes time to build that, to teach what winning organizations do, how winning organizations prepare. I’m happy with the growth I’ve seen, and I’d like to see more of that."