Jan 03, 2014 10:49 AM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

University of Texas (UT) athletic director Steve Patterson is running into roadblocks in his search for a head football coach, but a new frontrunner has emerged.

Unnamed sources told ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter that Texas s "interested" in UCLA's head football coach Jim Mora. The sources also said the two sides have had discussions on the matter.

Texas is interested in UCLA coach Jim Mora as a possible replacement for Mack Brown, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2014

Patterson said he wants to hire a coach before Jan. 15, when the bowl season "dead period" ends and coaches are allowed in-person visits with recruits. Candidates perceived as fits for Texas have included Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, Baylor's Art Briles, Louisville's Charlie Strong, Vanderbilt's James Franklin and even Alabama's Nick Saban.

Briles, Fisher and Saban have expressed they do not want to move and have also accepted lucrative contract extensions from their respective schools. Patterson said candidates have reached out, interested in the Longhorns job, but would not specify who.

Another candidate whose name was mentioned is Jon Gruden. The ESPN Monday Night Football commentator is annually a target of speculation when, at this time, several jobs open up. However, Gruden continually says he does not want to coach.

Red McCombs, a billionaire donor to UT, does not care. He recently told the San Antonio News Express he wants to see Patterson pursue Gruden.

"They should hire Jon Gruden," McCombs said. "I think he's the best football coach out there. And he's available."

Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com, the site that first broke the news of Mack Brown's intention to resign, told KRLD Patterson does not share the same interest in Gruden.

"I think there's support for Jon Gruden, but I don't think Steve Patterson is one of them," he said. "When you talk about Jon Gruden, I think that will fizzle."

Like Briles, Fisher, Strong, Franklin and other perceived candidates, Mora has been quiet on his interest in the position. Unnamed sources at UT have told the San Antonio News Express Patterson has interviewed Strong and is hoping to speak with Briles and Fisher too.

While Gruden seems positive about wanting to stay put, Patterson and UT have deep pockets, so any candidate, under contract or not, is in play.

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