CLEVELAND - Another qualified coaching candidate has eluded the Browns.
Ken Whisenhunt's decision to accept Tennessee's opening leaves Cleveland as one of just three NFL franchises still searching for a head coach.
Whisenhunt, who guided Arizona to a Super Bowl, came close to being hired by the Browns last year and interviewed with the team Saturday.
San Diego's loss Sunday in the AFC playoffs freed up teams to make offers to Whisenhunt and he chose the Titans after it appeared he was headed to Detroit. It's not known if the Browns tried to outbid the Titans for the well-regarded 51-year-old.
With Whisenhunt no longer in the mix, the Browns moved into the third week of their quest to replace Rob Chudzinski without any clear front-runner, but with a new former NFL head coach on their list.
The team has interviewed at least five known candidates and the Browns reportedly met Monday with former Titans coach Mike Munchak, also in consideration with the Lions.
The 53-year-old Munchak, a Hall of Fame lineman, went 22-26 in three seasons with the Titans, who fired him Jan. 4.