DeMeco Ryans is now the head coach of the Houston Texans. But he got a reminder of his time as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night when he won The Associated Press NFL Assistant Coach of the Year Award for the 2022 season.

In Ryans’ second season as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, the 49ers led the NFL in scoring defensive and total defense.

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The former Alabama All-American received 35 first-place, nine second-place and four third-place votes from the panel of 50 selectors for 206 points, with first-place votes counting five points, second-place votes counting three points and third-place votes counting one point.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson finished second with 113 points – 11 first-place, 16 second-place and 10 third-place votes.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen came in third with 26 points – six second-place and eight third-place votes.

Receiving one first-place vote apiece were Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and Eagles offensive-line coach Jeff Stoutland.

The Texans named Ryans their head coach on Jan. 31.

Ryan was a two-time Pro Bowler in his 10 NFL seasons – the first six with Houston and the final four with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year as a Texans linebacker in 2006.

RELATED: DEMECO RYANS’ COACHING ROOTS GROW FROM ALABAMA

Ryans began his coaching career as a defensive quality-control assistant with San Francisco in 2017, then coached the 49ers’ inside linebackers for three seasons. Ryans became defensive coordinator when Robert Saleh left the position to become the head coach of the New York Jets.

An All-State linebacker in 2001 at Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer, Ryans earned unanimous All-American recognition, won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award and received the Lott IMPACT Trophy as a senior in 2005 at Alabama.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.