Cleveland Browns

Browns interview Patriots defensive boss Matt Patricia

Published Jan. 9, 2016 6:17 p.m. ET

foxsports

CLEVELAND (AP) The Browns have interviewed New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia for their head coaching job.

Patricia is the fifth candidate to meet with the Browns, who began their search by speaking with Chicago offensive coordinator Adam Gase. He was hired by Miami on Saturday.

It's the second time the 37-year-old Gase has snubbed the Browns, declining a chance to interview with them two years ago when he was with Denver.

Under Bill Belichick, the 41-year-old Patricia has constructed one of the NFL's best defenses over the past four seasons. The Browns have a track record with Belichick defensive assistants, hiring Romeo Crennel as coach in 2005, and Eric Mangini in 2009.

Cleveland's search committee, headed by owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, is expected to interview Cincinnati defensive coordinator Hue Jackson and Carolina defensive coordinator Sean McDermott on Sunday.

---

Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL