Oklahoma’s Stoops linked to Browns opening

1/3/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops.
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops.

CLEVELAND — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops is the latest college coach to be linked to Cleveland’s head coaching vacancy.

Just hours after his Sooners stunned Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, Stoops, a Youngstown native, didn’t rule out the possibility of jumping to the NFL. On Dan Patrick’s national radio show, Stoops said he’s not looking to pursue a pro job but “you never know down the road.”

Later, Stoops would not discuss rumors tying him to the Browns’ job with Oklahoma writers and again said “you never know” when pressed on the subject.

The Browns fired Rob Chudzinski following one season. The team has interviewed candidates and is reportedly interested in speaking with Auburn coach Gus Malzahn.

Last year, Browns owner Jimmy Haslem targeted Chip Kelly to be Cleveland’s coach, but the former Oregon coach decided to take Philadelphia’s job.