Mike Holmgren tells radio station he would be interested in working for Cleveland Browns

Holmgren interested in meeting with Browns

CLEVELAND — Former Seattle and Green Bay coach Mike Holmgren is interested in working for the struggling Cleveland Browns.

Holmgren said on his weekly radio show on Seattle’s KJR that he has not yet spoken to Browns owner Randy Lerner, who is looking for a “serious, credible leader” football authority to run his struggling team. However, Holmgren did indicate he would welcome the chance to take on a rebuilding project like the 1-8 Browns.

“It takes a tremendous amount of energy, but there is a certain appeal there,” the 61-year-old Holmgren. “There’s something in my personality, too, that taking on those types of projects, that kind of gets me going. But there’s a lot of work to do.

“The important thing, going into any organization is that all of the principles, all of the decision makers are pointed in the same direction, with the same motives, the same desires, and then you have a chance.”

Holmgren was Seattle’s GM and coach for four seasons. He stepped down as coach after last season to spend more time with his family.

Last week, Browns Hall of Famer Jim Brown said Lerner had met with “one of the great football minds in this country,” and hinted that person may have been Holmgren. Brown is a senior adviser with the Browns.

Cleveland coach Eric Mangini, struggling in his first season with the Browns, refused to comment on reports that Holmgren was on Lerner’s wish list.

“Randy’s really handling that, so I’ll let him talk about that,” Mangini said this week.

The Browns, who have scored just five offensive touchdowns this season, visit Detroit (1-8) on Sunday.