Ryan Milus joins the Houston Texans as a defensive assistant in 2023 with three seasons of NFL experience (2019-21) and two seasons at the collegiate level (2017-18).
Milus most recently served as the defensive quality control coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. Milus guided a defensive unit that ranked ninth in total yards per play (5.20 yards), 10th in rushing yards per play (4.21 yards), sixth in passing yards per play (6.25 yards) and sixth in total yards per game among AFC teams (337.2 yards). The unit was led by third-year DL Maxx Crosby, who earned his first Pro Bowl selection and posted 56 tackles (36 solo), 8.0 sacks and seven passes defensed in 2021. His three multi-sack games were tied for second-most in the AFC this season.
In his first NFL coaching role, Milus spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, first as an intern in the Alex G. Spanos Coaching Fellowship (2019) and then as a defensive quality control coach (2020). In his first year, Milus helped with practice drills, primarily for the linebackers, while helping former Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley with team presentations and film breakdown of upcoming opponents. He worked with the team's defensive backs in 2019, helping his father and former Raiders defensive backs coach, Ron Milus.
Before joining the NFL coaching ranks, Milus landed his first coaching role as a graduate assistant/cornerbacks coach with Webster State for two seasons (2017-18). Milus helped the Wildcats claim back-to-back Big Sky Championships, advance to the FCS Quarterfinals in both seasons and rank as high as third in the nation in 2018, the highest ranking in school history. In his last season with Webster State, he guided CB Keilan Benjamin to earn first-team All-Big Sky honors, while CB Parker Preator earned third-team honors.
In his first season with the Wildcats (2017), Milus was a graduate assistant who coached the cornerbacks while pursuing a graduate degree in criminal justice. The Wildcats finished in the top 10 in the country in interceptions, turnovers gained and red zone defense. The defensive unit led the Big Sky Conference in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, interceptions, pass efficiency defense and red zone defense. Milus coached DB Taron Johnson to a consensus All-American selection and Big Sky Defensive MVP on his way to being drafted in the fourth round (121st overall) by the Buffalo Bills in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Milus began his coaching career at his alma mater, Hamilton High School, where he coached the secondary in 2016.
A Tacoma, Wash., native, Milus attended Arizona State University and was a three-time All-American sprinter, finishing second in the NCAA Championships in the 60 meters. He graduated in 2014 with a degree in business tourism. Following graduation, he competed professionally in track and field and made the finals of the U.S. Indoor Championships.
His father, Ron Milus, enters his 23rd season as an NFL coach and currently serves as the defensive backs coach for the Indianapolis Colts.
2023 Defensive Assistant Houston Texans
2021 Defensive Quality Control Las Vegas Raiders
2020 Defensive Quality Control Los Angeles Chargers
2017-18 Graduate Assistant/Cornerbacks Webster State
2016 Secondary Hamilton HS
