Butch Davis is working toward a return to South Florida — albeit with a different school than the one he once coached.

While not finalized, two sources told Sporting News that Davis is the frontrunner to become Florida International University’s next head coach.

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Davis, 64, posted a 51-20 record during six seasons (1995 to 2000) coaching the University of Miami. Such success led to Davis being hired away by the Cleveland Browns. Davis led the 2002 Browns to what remains their only playoff appearance since the franchise resumed operations in 1999.

Davis re-signed in December 2004 but re-launched his coaching career with the University of North Carolina in 2006. Davis helped rebuild the Tar Heels program but was fired before the start of the 2011 campaign amid an NCAA probe into academic fraud involving UNC players. Davis was ultimately exonerated, although the Tar Heels were given sanctions that included vacating all wins from the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Davis spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons as an adviser for then-Tampa Bay head coach Greg Schiano, who was once one of his assistants.

Davis has close ties to FIU athletic director Pete Garcia dating back to their days with the Hurricanes. Davis brought Garcia with him to the Browns in a front-office capacity.

"Pete is his guy," a source told Sporting News.

FIU’s head coaching job opened when Ron Turner was fired earlier in the season. Ron Cooper has replaced Turner on an interim basis.

The Golden Panthers were 3-6 heading into Saturday’s game at Western Kentucky (6-3).