Houston Texans Request 2 Interviews For Defensive Coordinator Opening

Newly hired Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has begun the extended process of putting his staff together. Per KPRC2's Aaron Wilson, the team has requested to interview Washington Commanders' defensive backs coach Chris Harris and New York Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

Sources: Texans request permission to interview Commanders’ Chris Harris, Jets’ Marquand Manuel for defensive coordinator job @KPRC2 https://t.co/5Amrr0SDLV @KPRC2 https://t.co/K8GWNFcYF9
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 7, 2023

Harris has served as the Commanders' defensive backs coach since 2020. He played safety in the NFL from 2005 to 2012, even earning a second-team All-Pro in 2010 with the Chicago Bears. The Commanders have finished in the top three for yards allowed in two of Harris' three seasons with the team, but they haven't created many notable stars at defensive back.

Manuel is another former player; he was a safety from 2003 to 2009, playing for six different teams over eight seasons. He has developed a deep resume as a coach, first latching on with the Seattle Seahawks in 2012 before following Dan Quinn to the Atlanta Falcons in 2015. Most recently, he has served as safeties coach for the New York Jets; the Jets finished fourth in points allowed and yards allowed in 2022.

A former player himself, Ryans appears to be favoring coaches who have experienced the NFL for themselves. Given the Texans will likely be fielding young teams as part of their extended rebuild over the coming years, there's a certain logic to hiring coaches who have intimate familiarity with the ups and downs of the NFL.