Bob Stoops Sugar Bowl 2014

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops will not be interviewing with the Browns, a source said.

CLEVELAND -- Reports that the Browns will interview Oklahoma's Bob Stoops for their head coach job are false, a league source told cleveland.com.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that Stoops, the Youngstown native, and New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the Canton native, are the Browns' top candidates. He also said the Browns were expected to interview Stoops this week.

The club has no plans to talk to Stoops, but did interview McDaniels Saturday in New England.

In addition to Rapoport's report that Stoops is a frontrunner, St. Louis 101 ESPN radio reporter Tony Softli reported this week that Stoops has the inside track for the job.

Stoops was asked about Softli's report Friday, the day after his Sooners upset Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and said "You never know.''

Earlier in the day, on The Dan Patrick Show, he said, "You never know what will come your way. Right now, I love what I'm doing. Right now it's not something I will pursue."

Asked if the Browns have contacted him, he said, "I never acknowledge or deny whether somebody's contacted me or not."

Overall, Stoops has gone 160-39 in his 15 seasons at Oklahoma, with 15 bowl games -- nine of the BCS variety -- eight conference titles and one national championship in 2000.

While the Browns aren't expected to talk to Stoops, they will apparently speak with Vanderbilt coach James Franklin.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Saturday that the Browns have requested permission to interview Franklin, as have the Redskins. He also reported that Franklin met with the Texans before Penn State's Bill O'Brien took the job.

Franklin, 41, has also been mentioned in connection with the Penn State and Texas vacancies.

CBS Sports' Jason LaCanfora, who first reported the Browns' interest in Franklin, also said they like Auburn's Gus Malzahn -- who will face Florida State in the BCS national championship game Monday night.

The Browns have also interviewed Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.

Even if Saturday's interview with McDaniels went well, the Browns can't hire him until he's out of the playoffs.