Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is taking back defensive play-calling duties, he told reporters in his Wednesday press conference.
With Houston starting the season 0-4, Ryans will once again handle play-calling after relinquishing it last year to defensive coordinator Matt Burke.
But while the club finished No. 1 in scoring defense and No. 2 in yards allowed last year, the Texans are No. 20 in yards allowed and No. 26 in points allowed through the first four weeks.
Communication issues have been cited, which is part of what Ryans wants to solve by taking back the play-calling duties. He had held them for the first two-plus years of his head coaching tenure until Burke took over in September of last season.
“It all starts with me. If there’s a lack in communication, I look at myself first,” Ryans said in his press conference. “It starts with me and making sure I’m a better communicator. So just to help spark things more, I’m going to take over the play-calling for the defense and I’m going to make sure that communication is right. If our guys are saying communication is not right, then, ultimately, it falls on me. So, it’s on me to get it fixed.
“No slight against coach Burke, he’s done an outstanding job. Just want to make sure I can streamline communication in the best way possible so that isn’t the theme when I stand up here the next time I see you guys and talking about communication.”
How will things be different with Ryans calling it instead of Burke?
“We’ll see. I’m just looking for something to change,” Ryans said. “Right now, we haven’t done great the first four games, defensively, when it’s been on guys to close the game out. And it’s, man, can we spark a little change? Matt has done a good job. We’re not overhauling the defense, just trying to spark some change.”
Ryans called it a “tough decision,” but acknowledged it was one he wanted to make for the best interest of the team.
“I’m not in this role to please a lot of people’s opinion, I have to do what’s best for this team and make sure I’m leading in that way,” Ryans said. “Unfortunately, everybody isn’t happy when you make changes. When you make decisions from my chair, everybody isn’t happy. And that’s OK, because I know everything I try to do and strive to do is for the men in that locker room, to give those guys as best a chance possible to go out and win our first football game.”
While defensive play-calling has been a major part of Ryans’ coaching career, he noted he’s not necessarily excited just to be doing it again.
“It’s not about me at all. It’s about our team and how can I best help the players,” Ryans said. “That’s the reason why I’m doing this. It has nothing to do with me.”
We’ll see if Ryans taking over has an effect when the Texans face the Titans on the road in Week 5.