The University of Texas has expressed strong interest in UCLA coach Jim Mora as a possible replacement for Mack Brown, and the two sides have had conversations, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

UCLA coach Jim Mora is being eyed as the next coach of the Texas Longhorns, according to sources. Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images

Mora previously coached in the NFL, most recently as head coach in Seattle and Atlanta.

He is 18-8 at UCLA.

Monday night's Valero Alamo Bowl was Brown's final game at Texas after 16 years. He's resigning after a rocky final season in which Texas lost at least four games for the fourth consecutive year.

New Texas athletic director Steve Patterson said last week he expects a successor to Brown will be found within two weeks.

Patterson said before kickoff at the Alamo Bowl that he believes Texas needs a new coach by Jan. 15. That's the end of the so-called "dead period'' in the NCAA that prohibits coaches from in-person contact with recruits during bowl season.

Patterson said coaches "are certainly expressing their interest'' in the job but wouldn't discuss any potential candidates.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.