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New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Browns defensive coordinator Mel Tucker interviewed with owner Randy Lerner about Cleveland's coaching vacancy on Friday.

The Ohio born and bred McDaniels just completed his third season overseeing the Patriots' offense and coaching quarterbacks. The 32-year-old former college quarterback was credited with transforming backup Matt Cassel into an effective starter afterTom Brady was lost for the season after injuring his knee in the opener.

McDaniels is the third coaching candidate to meet with Lerner, who spoke with fired Jets coach Eric Mangini on Tuesday and Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Thursday. Spagnuolo has also met with Detroit and will talk with the Jets on Saturday.

Lerner also interviewed T.J. McCreight, Cleveland's director of player personnel, about Cleveland's opening at general manager. Tucker is the first minority candidate to speak with Lerner, putting the Browns in compliance with the NFL's Rooney Rule.

McCreight worked alongside GM Phil Savage, fired in the rubble of an injury-filled 4-12 season that included some embarrassing off-the-field issues.

Lerner is hesitant to hire another first-time NFL head coach after Chris Palmer, Butch Davis and Romeo Crennel all came to Cleveland with sparkling resumes but no experience running a pro team. All failed.

But the highly regarded McDaniels could come in a package with Scott Pioli, the Patriots' director of player personnel who remains Lerner's top choice for GM.

Mangini is believed to be Lerner's preference despite his firing in New York after the Jets collapsed and missed the playoffs. Mangini, who made the postseason once in three years and went 23-25 during the regular season, began as a ball boy and public relations assistant with the Browns.