The move strips coordinator Matt Burke of play-calling duties after Houston's defense slid to No. 20 in yards allowed and No. 26 in points allowed through four games.
DeMeco Ryans is taking back defensive play-calling duties for the Texans, he told reporters in his Wednesday press conference. The move comes with Houston sitting at 0-4 to start the season.
Ryans handed the play-calling job to defensive coordinator Matt Burke last September, after holding it himself for his first two-plus years as head coach. The results were strong at the time: the Texans finished No. 1 in scoring defense and No. 2 in yards allowed last season. This year has looked nothing like that. Through four games, Houston ranks No. 20 in yards allowed and No. 26 in points allowed.
Ryans pointed to communication issues as part of the problem, and said fixing that starts with him. "It all starts with me. If there's a lack in communication, I look at myself first," he said.
Burke had called the plays since early last season. With Ryans now back in control, the Texans will look for a quick turnaround as they try to climb out of their 0-4 hole.