There's a new name linked to the Detroit Lions coaching vacancy. And it's an intriguing one.

Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel is reporting that Detroit is "in play" for longtime Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. Cleveland also could be in play, according to the report.

Bob Stoops has repeatedly turned away the NFL over the course of his 15-year tenure at Oklahoma. Could he make the leap this year? And to Detroit?

Stoops has guided the Sooners to a 160-39 record during his 15-year tenure. He's won eight Big 12 championships and led Oklahoma to four BCS title game appearances, the most in NCAA history.

He won the 2000 national championship, and earlier this season surpassed Barry Switzer as the school's all-time winningest coach.

Stoops doesn't fit the Lions' ideal profile for Jim Schwartz's replacement -- they want an experienced NFL coach -- but he's certainly an intriguing candidate after his long, sustained success in Norman.

He's coming off a 40-31 upset of mighty Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and afterward did little to qwell rumors that he could make the leap to the NFL.

"You never know," he told local writers.

Stoops signed a seven-year, $34.5 million deal in 2011, and agreed to an extension in July through the 2020 season. It's unclear what a possible buyout would cost.

The Lions must already pay Schwartz a reported $12 million to not coach them anymore.