Urban Meyer’s next coaching job could keep him in his home state of Ohio.

The Cleveland Browns have “strong interest” in the former Ohio State coach as they search for a replacement for fired Freddie Kitchens, Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman tweeted on Thursday.

The 55-year-old Meyer, who has never coached in the NFL, stepped down as head coach of the Buckeyes following the 2018 season, citing health reasons. He also had been suspended for three games earlier that season for protecting an assistant coach with a history of domestic abuse.

Cleveland axed Kitchens, who only lasted one year as head coach, and general manager John Dorsey after completing the 2019 season Sunday with a disappointing 6-10 record.

Meyer posted an 83-9 mark over seven seasons at Ohio State, including a national championship in 2014. He previously had coached at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida. Meyer also won two BCS national titles with the Gators.

The Browns were scheduled to interview former Packers coach Mike McCarthy on Thursday; he had met with the Panthers last week and has an interview scheduled with the Giants on Friday.

The Cowboys still hadn’t fired Jason Garrett as of Thursday morning, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported he doesn’t “think (Meyer) winds up as the Dallas head coach.” He added he believes “Cleveland would be an interesting situation to watch” with Meyer.