Report: Cleveland Browns hoping for Gus Malzahn and Johnny Manziel package deal

The Cleveland Browns coaching search continues with CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reporting the team is not giving up on Auburn Tigers head coach and winner of numerous Coach of the Year Awards to be the replacement for Rob Chudzinski who was fired after one season.

"“Team officials realizes it may be a longshot to land Malzahn, who nearly won a national title at Auburn and is very happy there, but his offensive innovation and the style of offense he runs is very much in line with what the team would like to put in place (the Browns are also very high on quarterback Johnny Manziel, sources said, who would be a perfect fit in a Malzahn offense).”"

Malzahn has repeatedly stated how happy he is at Auburn and even referred to it as his “dream job.” After signing a six-year extension, with  $3.85 million per year with a $250,000 raise each subsequent year and saying, “I’m tickled to death to be the head coach at Auburn University” it would be a shocking revelation if he were to leave for Cleveland.

Malzahn led Auburn to a 12-2 record and the BCS Championship Game where they lost to the Florida State Seminoles 34-31 on a last-second touchdown pass.

La Canfora also reports that Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase remains high on their wishlist, but he can’t interview for the job–if he wants to–until the Broncos are eliminated from the playoffs which won’t be until at least next Monday.