Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz | USA TODAY

Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey said he would keep his options open for the team's head coaching search, and a new report has tied the team to a surprising name. But both sides subsequently denied there was anything to the story.

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is under consideration for an interview for the coaching role, ESPN reported Sunday.

Responding to the report in a statement, Dorsey said Rice had not been part of the team's discussions so far for the position.

“Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a great leader, possesses the highest possible character and also happens to be a Browns fan," Dorsey said. "I have the utmost respect and admiration for all she’s accomplished and was honored to meet her for the first time earlier this season. Our coaching search will be thorough and deliberate, but we are still in the process of composing the list of candidates and Secretary Rice has not been discussed.”

Rice also responded to the report with her own statement:

Condoleezza Rice statement on Browns report pic.twitter.com/NTDVwdzjGu — James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 18, 2018

The move would be an extreme departure from coaching norms. Rice, who chaired the Commission on College Basketball and served on the College Football Playoff selection committee from 2013-16, has no coaching experience.

Rice would also become the first woman known to interview for a head coaching job in the NFL.

In 2016, Kathryn Smith became the first female full-time assistant coach in the league when she was hired by the Buffalo Bills as a special teams quality control coach. The San Francisco 49ers hired Katie Sowers as an offensive assistant in 2017, and the Oakland Raiders brought on Kelsey Martinez to their strength and conditioning staff this past offseason.

Dorsey said last week that he would consider a woman for the coaching role, though only after correcting his previous phrasing.

"I would like to see a man of character. I would like to see a man who can lead young men. I would like to see a man who has high football acumen," Dorsey said. "I just want the best possible head coach to move this thing forward regardless of age. It could be a woman, too. Do not look at me like that. I am serious. Who knows? We will look at everything is what I am trying to tell you all."

The Browns fired coach Hue Jackson on Oct. 29 after two-plus seasons.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.

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