Add Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to the list of candidates to be the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
Pettine will interview on Thursday, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports.
The 47-year-old Pettine is a well-regarded defensive coach who has been mentioned as a potential head-coaching candidate in the past, but this is the first time he’s been identified as a candidate for the Cleveland vacancy. Pettine just completed his first season as the defensive coordinator in Buffalo after four years as the defensive coordinator of the Jets. He’s previously spent time as a linebackers and defensive line coach with the Ravens.
The Browns, who fired coach Rob Chudzinski at the end of the season, say they’ll take as long as necessary to identify the right coach. Pettine’s interview is the next step in that process.