A hot coaching candidate emerged on Thursday as the reported frontrunner for the open Denver Broncos job. The NFL world went abuzz when 9News Denver reporter Mike Klis revealed that DeMeco Ryans is reportedly the Broncos’ top choice.
“San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has emerged as a top candidate to become the Denver Broncos‘ next head coach,” Klis wrote.
DeMeco Ryans emerges as a top Broncos head coach candidate https://t.co/gtHVjTwFBP via @9NEWS #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) January 26, 2023
Ryans is currently the defensive coordinator for the white-hot San Francisco 49ers. The Niners ride a 12-game winning streak into this Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. So, if the Broncos wanted to interview Ryans a second time, they’d have to wait until Sunday. But despite that, he’s reportedly the building’s top choice regardless.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan hired Ryans in 2017 as a defensive quality control coach. Ryans rose up the ranks after three seasons as an inside linebackers coach from 2018-2020. He served as defensive coordinator for the Niners in the last two seasons. To his credit, the defense played tenaciously under him. They ranked as one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2022. Arguably, they’ve been the backbone of the team as they’ve gotten hot along with the sensational Brock Purdy.
The NFL world reacted to the news that Ryans is the Broncos’ reported top choice. Reactions were from all around the spectrum.
this is so much better than mortgaging your future for sean payton https://t.co/mgsRIMQflg
— ethan 🫐 (@J0SHALLENN) January 26, 2023
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) January 26, 2023
If DeMeco Ryans becomes Denver's coach and builds a staff that includes Jerry Rosburg on ST & Mike Munchak guiding the O-line, I'd be very encouraged about his potential success. (Remember, the Broncos originally hired Munchak to work with an ex-SF assistant, OC Scangarello.)
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 26, 2023
If Ryans gets the gig, he would become the Broncos 4th straight first-time head coach. https://t.co/9QCKr4Wcrc
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) January 26, 2023
Great example of what may turn out to be the right person for the job, instead of hiring the biggest name. https://t.co/YHWUZXu8jN
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) January 26, 2023
Read this carefully! Ryans is a finalist for Houston! The Broncos are likely in a competition. Why would he choose Denver over Houston? Keep in mind Ryans wife is from Houston which means likely her parents live in Houston and they have three kids. Lots of relatives. https://t.co/fL8jiv8bmd
— Darren McKee (@DMacRadio) January 26, 2023
https://t.co/uxIS7bo79T pic.twitter.com/4nq6lDil7y
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) January 26, 2023
Something has changed, at first Denver wanted a proven winner and now it seems they are going the rookie head coach route, again. https://t.co/00B6bYxmCh
— Dave Masters (@davemasters) January 26, 2023