Baylor coach Matt Rhule will not interview with the Cleveland Browns, declining the franchise’s request for an interview, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Rhule is reportedly the top candidate to be head coach of the New York Giants. He is one of the college coaches Jerry Jones is intrigued by in Dallas, and Rhule also has an interview with the Carolina Panthers, according to multiple reports.
The Browns’ next head coach, replacing Freddie Kitchens after one season, will be the fourth since 2018 in Cleveland. That includes interim head coach Gregg Williams, who took over midway through the 2018 season for Hue Jackson. Williams interviewed for the job at the end of the 2018 season but general manager John Dorsey selected Kitchens.
According to media reports, the Browns are planning to meet with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, among others.
Rhule guided Baylor to an 11-2 record in 2019.
In a press conference Tuesday ahead of the Bears’ Sugar Bowl clash with Georgia, Rhule said he hasn’t been contacted by NFL teams and plans to be at Baylor next season.
Most teams do not make direct contact with coaching candidates but arrange interviews through their agents.