Texans HC DeMeco Ryans reacts to Mike Tomlin departure

Hayden Victoria

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Texans HC DeMeco Ryans reacts to Mike Tomlin departure image

Monday night in Pittsburgh was pivotal for the Houston Texans, but the fallout took an unexpected turn when longtime Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stepped down Tuesday morning after a 19-year run.​

Texans HC DeMeco Ryans reacts to Mike Tomlin's departure

Tomlin’s decision came less than 24 hours after the Texans’ 30-6 AFC wild-card victory at Heinz Field, a result that extended the Steelers’ postseason win drought and sent Houston on to the divisional round. The 52-year-old coach leaves Pittsburgh with a 193-114-2 regular-season record, two AFC championships, and one Super Bowl title, and he never had a losing season.

Returning to Houston after their playoff matchup, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said he was "shocked: to learn that Tomlin would be leaving the Steelers.

"Part of me is happy he was able to step away on his own terms. One of the toughest jobs. Everyone tries to tell you how to do the job. A lot that goes into it. The Steelers were the beneficiary of having that success for 19 years. Not another coach I respect more than Mike Tomlin. Glad he was able to go on his terms," Ryans said, by way of Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.

The Texans' playoff run will continue against the New England Patriots next in the AFC divisional round after their wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The matchup sends DeMeco Ryans’ team on the road to Foxborough to take on a New England squad that secured the AFC’s No. 2 seed and a home playoff date at Gillette Stadium.

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Editorial Team