Redskins deny Browns' request to interview assistant Smith

A request by the Cleveland Browns to interview Washington Redskins special teams coach Danny Smith was denied last week, a league source said Monday.

Smith's contract is set to expire, but the Redskins intend to retain him. Four teams were denied permission to speak to Smith after last season, and the Browns were denied Friday.

Smith has been with the Redskins since 2004.

The respected special teams assistant was contacted by Denver earlier this month, but Smith declined the offer from Broncos coach John Fox, according to sources.

The Browns are still in the process of rounding out their staff. They are in the hunt for an offensive coordinator to replace Brian Daboll, who left for the same post with the Miami Dolphins. Along with additional openings, the team needs to hire a special teams coordinator to replace Brad Seely, now with the San Francisco 49ers.