Davis Says He’s Staying Put

Miami Coach Butch Davis denied a report that he was heading to Cleveland next week for exploratory talks with Brown President Carmen Policy.

“That was news to me,” Davis said. “That was a shock. I didn’t even know they fired the coach. I know Bernie Kosar owns a piece of the team, but other than that, I don’t know anybody.”

The Browns have not made a decision on Coach Chris Palmer’s future, but ESPN reported that Davis will meet with Policy on Wednesday, the day after the Hurricanes play Florida in the Sugar Bowl.

Since Miami’s final regular-season game, Davis also has denied interest in coaching the expansion Houston Texans or the Washington Redskins.

“The only thing I’m going to do when I get back is try to interview three guys for one of our defensive positions,” Davis said.

Davis said defensive backs coach Chuck Pagano is being considered for the defensive coordinator job. If he promotes Pagano, Davis would then need to hire a secondary coach. Davis didn’t want to disclose the names of the coaches he planned to interview.

Davis also said he was getting close to signing a new contract with the Hurricanes. Miami Athletic Director Paul Dee started negotiations with Davis’ agent, Marvin Demoff, more than a month ago.

“If we just had some time to sit down and meet,” Davis said. “Things are getting real, real close. There’s like maybe one issue still left. Probably if we didn’t have a bowl game and if I wasn’t recruiting, it would already be done.

“Hopefully next week we’ll get back and try to hammer this thing out. I’m anxious to get it done and get going on recruiting.”

Miami has offered Davis a new five-year deal worth about $1.3 million annually. Davis, 49, is in the fourth year of a seven-year contract that pays him about $900,000 annually.