49ers promote fast-rising DeMeco Ryans to defensive coordinator

The 2006 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is also getting off to a fast start in his post-playing career. The 49ers promoted inside linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans, 36, to defensive coordinator Monday to replace Robert Saleh, an expected move that came four days after Saleh left to become the Jets head coach. Ryans’ promotion came less than four years after he was hired as a rookie quality control coach.