CLEVELAND (AP) -- Chip Kelly wouldn't jump. So the Browns bailed.
Oregon's visor-wearing coach isn't coming to Cleveland -- or the NFL.
A person familiar with Cleveland's coaching search said the team passed on Kelly after he was indecisive about making the leap to the pros. The Browns nearly had a deal with Kelly two days ago, but they've moved on to other candidates, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because of the sensitivity of the search.
The Browns questioned whether Kelly "was committed to coming to the NFL," said the person. And because of his hesitation, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner returned from Arizona to Cleveland to continue looking for the club's sixth fulltime coach since 1999.
As it turns out, Kelly is staying at Oregon, a person with direct knowledge of his choice told the AP late Sunday night.
Kelly's decision was first reported by ESPN.
Following Thursday night's Fiesta Bowl win over Kansas State, Kelly said he hoped to have the interview process "wrapped up quickly." He spent two days interviewing with Cleveland, Buffalo and Philadelphia before deciding to remain at Oregon.
It's the second straight year Kelly has entertained overtures from NFL teams only to reject them. He turned down Tampa Bay's job deep into negotiations last season. Kelly will go back to Oregon, where he has built the fast-flying Ducks into a national powerhouse. Oregon is 46-7 the past four seasons with four BCS bowl games under the offensive innovator.
With Kelly no longer in play, the Browns will consider some of the candidates they've already met with or maybe begin a second wave of interviews. Haslam and Banner spent most of last week in Arizona and are known to have spoken to former Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton, Syracuse's Doug Marrone and Penn State's Bill O'Brien.
Marrone accepted Buffalo's coaching job Sunday, three people familiar with the negotiations told The AP. O'Brien decided to stay with the Nittany Lions.
The Browns aren't confirming any of their interviews or commenting on any candidates.
Haslam could still make a run at Alabama coach Nick Saban following Monday night's BCS title game. Saban has not given any indication he wants to take another stab at coaching in the NFL, but it's possible the 61-year-old could be persuaded by Haslam with the promise of power and a monstrous contract.
A former NFL player, Whisenhunt, who went 45-51 in six seasons and led the Cardinals to a Super Bowl, spent one year as a special teams coordinator with Cleveland. The 50-year-old coach served as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator from 2004-06, and that connection could serve him well with Haslam, who had a minority share in the Steelers before he bought the Browns.
Horton spent seven seasons on Pittsburgh's staff before joining the Cardinals in 2011.
Haslam and Banner fired Pat Shurmur last week, one day after the Browns finished a 5-11 season with a loss in Pittsburgh. Shurmur went 9-23 in two seasons for the Browns, who have lost at least 11 games in each of the past five seasons and have changed coaches four times since 2002.
"Our goal is to get the best person and if we happen to find that person within a week, that's great and if it takes a month, that's great also," Haslam said.
Marrone to coach Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Doug Marrone is set to try to turn around an NFL team after improving a college program down the road.
Marrone reached an agreement to become the Buffalo Bills' new coach Sunday, three people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. One person said the sides were still putting the finishing touches on the contract for Marrone to sign.
The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because there has not been an official announcement.
Marrone will replace Chan Gailey, who was fired Dec. 31, a day after the Bills closed their second consecutive season with a 6-10 record and extended the NFL's longest active playoff drought to 13 seasons. The 48-year-old Marrone, who is from the Bronx, went 25-25 in four seasons at Syracuse.
Syracuse was 26-57 over a seven-year period before Marrone took over at his alma mater. The Orange finished this season 8-5, winning six of their last seven games, including a 38-14 victory over West Virginia in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Now, he's set for another challenge two hours down the New York State Thruway. He'll be taking over a team that has not had a winning record since 2004, is on its fifth head coach since 2001, and closed last season by losing seven of its final 10 games.
Eagles continue search
PHILADELPHIA -- While Chip Kelly decided to stay at Oregon, the Philadelphia Eagles had already moved forward.
The Eagles took their coaching search to Denver on Sunday to interview Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy after a lengthy meeting with Kelly a night earlier in Arizona. The team only confirmed its meeting with Kelly after it ended.
The 40-year-old McCoy engineered an offense around quarterback Peyton Manning this season. Denver went 13-3, secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and has a bye this weekend. The Broncos ranked fourth in the league in total offense and second in scoring.
Bears talk with McCoy
CHICAGO -- A person familiar with the situation says the Chicago Bears are meeting with Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy in Denver to discuss their coaching vacancy.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Sunday because of the confidential nature of the search.
The Philadelphia Eagles also took their coaching search to Denver on Sunday to meet with McCoy.
The Bears are in the market for a coach after they fired Lovie Smith following a 10-win season in which they missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years.
The Broncos allotted time for teams to meet with McCoy in Denver this weekend. He is also linked to openings with Arizona and Philadelphia.
Jay Gruden on list
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals expect to speak in the coming week with Jay Gruden about their vacant head coaching position.
The team on Sunday confirmed plans to interview the Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator, younger brother of former Oakland and Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden.
The Cardinals also confirmed that Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy was interviewed in Denver on Saturday. McCoy was the second candidate known to have been interviewed by Cardinals President Michael Bidwill in his search for a replacement for Ken Whisenhunt, who was fired after six seasons.
Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton was interviewed last week. The team has received permission to speak with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, but it's not known if any interview is scheduled.
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