National Football League

Browns eye Oregon coach Kelly

Published Jan. 2, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Oregon's Chip Kelly appears to be near the top of the Browns' coaching wish list.

According to several reports, Cleveland's CEO Joe Banner is in Arizona and intends to interview Kelly, who is preparing the Ducks to play in Thursday's Fiesta Bowl. Kelly has been courted by NFL teams in the past and came close to taking Tampa Bay's job last year. Kelly has deflected questions about a possible jump to the pros, saying he's focused on finishing his fourth season at Oregon.

Kelly's fast-paced offensive system is intriguing to the Browns, who fired Pat Shurmur earlier this week. New England coach Bill Belichick consulted Kelly this summer and has incorporated aspects of Oregon's up-tempo game into the Patriots offense.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said the team will not confirm any interviews.