Eagles LB DeMeco Ryans Wants To Coach When He's Finished Playing
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – DeMeco Ryans is 27 years old and still in the prime of his career as an NFL linebacker, but he's already planning what he wants to do next.
"I would like to coach when I get done playing," Ryans told 94WIP's Angelo Cataldi and The WIP Morning Show. Ryans is an honorary captain for the Public Leauge for tonight's Philadelphia High School All-Star Classic at Lincoln Financial Field tonight (tickets here). "This is an audition. So hopefully Public Schools do a good job and win tonight," he said.
This isn't the first time Ryans will be manning the sideline. "I coached a little bit at my high school last year during the lockout. I was the defensive coordinator for Spring football," he said.
The Eagles hope Ryans will fill their void at middle linebacker, but it's not just on the field that Ryans can be a positive influence, it's in the locker room as well. Ryans is known as a leader. "That just goes by showing your work ethic first and foremost. And then, it's also, knowing the time and place to encourage guys, or get on the guys, make sure everybody is on the same page. So we reach or common goal, which is to win," he said. "The role of a leader, the guys have to see you doing things right all the time. They have to have someone they want to look up to."
I credit my mother, her drive and work ethic that I've seen growing up, and I just took that on as a trait for myself."
