Williams receives interview for Browns opening

Gregg Williams had his interview with the Browns, who were impressed by his leadership as coach in the second half this season.

Williams went 5-3 as Cleveland’s interim coach after taking over when Hue Jackson was fired on Oct. 29. The 60-year-old Williams is the first candidate to meet with general manager John Dorsey.

The Browns are looking for their ninth coach since 1999. But unlike previous years, the team has a promising future with quarterback Baker Mayfield and Dorsey is determined to find the right person to lead his young team.

Dorsey was anxious to learn more about Williams’ long-term vision. Williams spent the past two seasons as Cleveland’s defensive coordinator, and his impressive run after replacing Jackson could lead to him coaching the Browns or another team.

Dorsey has contacted as many as eight candidates. He’ll interview Browns coordinator Freddie Kitchens, who worked well with Mayfield in the final eight games.

LIONS PART WAYS WITH COOTER » The Detroit Lions are not renewing offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter’s contract.

The Lions announced their decision Tuesday, two days after finishing 6-10 in coach Matt Patricia’s first season at the helm. Cooter was a holdover from Jim Caldwell’s staff, but his first season with Patricia did not go well.

Only two teams in the NFC scored fewer points than Detroit’s 324. Rookie running back Kerryon Johnson gave the Lions’ running game a bit of a boost before he was lost for the season with a knee injury. Quarterback Matthew Stafford took a step back, falling short of 4,000 yards passing for the first time since his injury-filled 2010 campaign.

Detroit won its finale 31-0 over Green Bay, but that was the only time in its last 10 games that the Lions scored more than 22 points.

NHL

DALLAS TO HOST 2020 WINTER CLASSIC » The 2020 Winter Classic will be held at the Cotton Bowl in Texas.

The Dallas Stars will host the 12th edition of the NHL’s annual outdoor game on New Year’s Day. But Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league hasn’t decided on their opponent.

Bettman also announced the Heritage Classic will return on Oct. 26 when the Winnipeg Jets play the Calgary Flames at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan. The NHL also will play outdoors at Air Force Academy on Feb. 15, 2020, as part of the Stadium Series, but it hasn’t finalized the opponent for the Colorado Avalanche.

Bettman made his remarks during the second intermission of Tuesday’s Winter Classic between the Bruins and Blackhawks.

College football

RILEY INKS EXTENSION AT OKLAHOMA » Oklahoma and Lincoln Riley have agreed to a contract extension, which should quell speculation about the second-year coach being lured away by an NFL team.

Oklahoma announced Tuesday that contract terms were being finalized and would be subject to approval by the board of regents late this month.

The 35-year-old Riley has led the Sooners to consecutive Big 12 championships and College Football Playoff appearances. Oklahoma is 24-4 overall and 16-2 in the conference under Riley with two Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.