The University of Texas is now eyeing UCLA coach Jim Mora as a replacement for the forced out Mack Brown.
According to ESPN, the Longhorns have strong interest in Mora and the two sides have already held several conversations. Mora previously coached in the NFL, including stops as head coach in Seattle and Atlanta. He is 18-8 during his tenure at UCLA.
After 16 seasons and an undefeated season in 2005 resulting in a national title with Vince Young as his quarterback, Brown coached his final game for the Longhorns during Monday night's 30-7 Valero Alamo Bowl loss to Oregon.
The longtime Texas coach came under heavy fire this season, as the Longhorns struggled through their fourth straight at least four loss season.
New Texas athletic director Steve Patterson previously told ESPN he expects a successor to Brown to be formally named within two weeks and he's convinced Texas needs a new coach by Jan. 15, the end of the so-called "dead period" imposed by the NCAA prohibiting coaches from making in-person contact with targeted recruits.
While declining to discuss specific candidates, Patterson told ESPN coaches "are certainly expressing their interest'' in the job.
Among those rumored to the opening at one time or another have been Jim Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin, Bill Cowher and Nick Saban.
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