The Cleveland Browns have completed their interview process and are in talks with St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to become their head coach, league sources said Wednesday.
Lamonte didn't return numerous phone messages left by The Associated Press with his agency.
Although he lacks head-coaching experience, Shurmur's background running a West Coast offense and working with young quarterbacks appeals to Holmgren, who started his search determined to "find exactly the right person for the job who can eventually someday lead us to the championship. That is my only goal."
Holmgren wants to expand the Browns' offense, which languished under coach Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Mangini was fired earlier this month after two 5-11 seasons.
Under Shurmur's guidance this season, Rams rookie quarterback Sam Bradford passed for 18 touchdowns and 3,512 yards -- second-most by a rookie behind Peyton Manning's 3,739 in 1998
When Shurmur departs, former Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels is among the candidates to replace him in St. Louis.
The Browns met with two other head-coaching candidates, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, over the past week. It also was assumed that the Browns would interview Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, but that meeting never took place.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
