The Houston Texans head coach and former Alabama Crimson Tide star linebacker has been named NFL Coach of the Year by American Pro Football Writers.

Lyons was also named a finalist for the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award, which won't be announced until February 8th.

Lyons led Houston to a 10-7 record and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2019, his first year as an NFL head coach. He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, where he was named by the Associated Press. He was named Assistant Coach of the Year in 2022 before joining the Texans.

He also helped lead Alabama rookie pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. to a successful rookie season, earning Anderson a nomination for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Lyons played at the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005 and earned numerous accolades during his time with the Crimson, including being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American in 2005.

In his final game as a player at Alabama, he was named Defensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl vs. Texas Tech, a game the Tide won 13-10.

Ryans went on to a 10-year NFL career, where he was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2007 with the Texans, where he currently coaches. .

After a highly successful first year as a head coach, Lyons, still only 39 years old, is considered one of the brightest young players in the NFL today.

Michael Brauner is a senior sports analyst and contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP