NFL coaching rumors: Vikings will interview Todd Bowles, Ray Horton

The Vikings are finally throwing their hat into the coaching search ring. The Redskins continue to be the most active in their search and have added Jay Gruden, Perry Fewell and Art Briles to their candidates list.

After a somewhat quiet week, the Minnesota Vikings are wading into the coaching search drama and are expected to interview a pair of defensive coordinators from other NFL teams. Todd Bowles of the Arizona Cardinals will interview on Monday, and Ray Horton of the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

The Vikings, who fired Leslie Frazier earlier this week, ranked dead last in scoring defense in 2013 and are looking to upgrade that side of the ball with a defensive-minded coach.

Bowles and his aggressive, blitz-heavy style have shaped the Cardinals into one of the top defenses in the league in his first season on the job. He was the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 and served briefly as the interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2011.

Bowles's predecessor in Arizona was Horton, who ran the defense for two seasons before moving to Cleveland this year. Prior to that, he served as a secondary coach for several pro teams, including the Washington Redskins, Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions.

Redskins interested in Jay Gruden and Art Briles

The Redskins have been far and away the most active in their coaching search. They reportedly have a list of 10-12 candidates they plan to interview, and Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and Baylor head coach Art Briles are among the most recent additions.

Briles, who has turned Baylor into a consistent contender in the Big 12, said earlier this week he plans to stay put, but that hasn't deterred Washington from seeking an interview.

Gruden, the brother of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden, has been one the keys in the offensive revolution in Cincinnati since taking over the offense in 2011. The Bengals ranked in the top 10 in total yards, passing yards and scoring in 2013.

Washington is also scheduled to interview New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. Were they to hire Fewell, he would be the first African American to serve as permanent head coach in franchise history (Terry Robiskie was the interim head coach for three games in 2000).

Ken Whisenhunt top candidate for Lions

San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is the clubhouse leader for the vacant head coaching job in Detroit, per Ian Rapoport.

Whisenhunt, whose Chargers rank No. 5 in the league in total offense this season, is also considered a candidate for the Redskins, Titans and Vikings.

After some time as a tight ends coach in the NFL, Whisenhunt was promoted to offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004. After helping lead the team to a victory in Super Bowl XL, he was hired as the head coach of the Cardinals in 2007.

Bob Stoops noncommittal on interest in Browns job

If Oklahoma's Bob Stoops is interested in becoming the next head coach in Cleveland, he's not tipping his hat. He was vague in his response to questions about the rumor on Friday, telling Keith Britton "I never acknowledge or deny whether somebody's contacted me or not."

Stoops, fresh off an upset win over Alabama in the Allstate Suger Bowl, has spent the last 15 years in Norman, and Browns blog Dawgs by Nature doesn't think he'll be leaving anytime soon.

Teams have been attempting to lure Stoops away from Oklahoma for years, too, so it's hard to believe the Browns' vacancy would be very interesting to him.