Texans Daily

J.J. Watt on Texans' DeMeco Ryans Hire: 'Let's Gooooooo!'

According to league-wide reaction and an enthusiastic tweet from one of the organization's all-time heroes, Houston finally got it right with a head-coaching hire.

Richie Whitt

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David Culley didn't really move the needle. Similarly, Lovie Smith was widely regarded as a Plan B place-holder.

But with Tuesday's announcement that former player DeMeco Ryans will be their next head coach, the Houston Texans not only got the man they wanted but also the desired reaction.

While those around the NFL trumpeted the Texans' move as a "home-run hire", the franchise's pillars of the past echoed affirmation.

J.J. Watt, widely regarded as the best defensive player in team history, posted a jubilant reaction on Twitter in heralded his former teammate. Watt and Ryans played together in Houston in 2011, when the Texans won their first-ever playoff game.

Posted Watt:

"LET’S GOOOOOOO!!!!!! You want to reenergize and reignite the incredible Houston fan base, this is a hell of a start!! Cannot wait to see what Meco does. One of the best teammates & leaders I’ve ever been around."

The Texans have been besieged by negative news in recent years. They endured the Deshaun Watson saga. They hired - and promptly fired - Culley and Smith after one-year blunders.

And, on the field, they have been one of the worst teams in the league with a record of 11-38-1 the last three seasons.

But if Ryans can illicit similarly enthusiastic, positive feedback from former players and current fans, the Texans may have finally started turning the corner.

The Denver Broncos traded to land former Super Bowl-winning coach Sean Payton on Tuesday. But, endorsed by Watt, the Texans got the guy they wanted in Ryans.

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT