NFL NOTEBOOK: POLA ADDED AS BROWNS' COACH.

Byline: Daily News Staff and Wire Services

Kennedy Pola, an assistant coach at USC the past four seasons, agreed Friday to join Butch Davis' staff of the Cleveland Browns.

Pola, a former Trojans running back, coached the running backs and special teams the past two years. He also will coach the running backs with the Browns.

Pola interviewed with several NFL teams the past two seasons and sought a higher-coaching salary.

``I knew I wanted to join the Cleveland Browns and be part of a successful organization at the highest level,'' Pola said. ``I have been fortunate to coach some exciting, young running backs at USC and I look forward to working with an excellent group of young running backs in Cleveland.''

- Scott Wolf 

--Davis extension: The Browns also announced it has given Davis a two- year extension despite an 11-loss season. Davis is now signed through 2007.

Davis joined Cleveland in 2001, taking over an expansion team that had won just five games in two seasons. He led the Browns to the playoffs in his second season, but injuries and a lackluster offense kept the Browns from building on that success this season.

--Raiders interviews: Norv Turner was the latest to talk to Oakland Raiders officials about their head-coaching vacancy.

Turner, the Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator, met with owner Al Davis, who has spoken to five candidates face to face and interviewed six overall.

Turner had a 49-59-1 record in six-plus seasons as coach in Washington and won back-to-back Super Bowls while offensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys.

--More trouble: Keyshawn Johnson has been hit with both a restraining order and a lawsuit brought against him by his ex-wife's new boyfriend.

John Mahannah Jr., of Richmond, Calif., claims the former USC star repeatedly has threatened to hurt or kill him since October 2003. In one alleged Jan. 9 incident at St. Columba's Church in Oakland, Mahannah claims Johnson threatened him at a funeral in front of witnesses and had to be restrained. After the service, outside the church, Johnson allegedly ran to Mahannah and again threatened violence.

In a restraining order request filed Jan. 14 and a subsequent lawsuit filed Wednesday in Alameda County Superior Court, Mahannah said there were many other incidents in which Johnson allegedly called his phone and threatened to beat him up, kill him or have others inflict violence on him.

Mahannah also filed suit against Johnson claiming the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver has caused him mental anguish and should pay general, punitive and special damages.

Jerome Stanley, Johnson's agent and attorney, did not return phone calls.

Mahannah began dating Johnson's ex-wife, who lives in Pleasanton, last August.

The lawsuit was filed the same day Johnson was robbed at gunpoint in Berkeley while standing outside a barbershop and talking on his cell phone. Johnson was forced to hand over his money and jewelry but was not hurt.

--Back in the rotation: Alex Gibbs said that after three years of semi-retirement, he needed to return as an NFL assistant and agreed to join Jim Mora Jr.'s staff with the Atlanta Falcons as the offensive line coach.

``I was in a state of exhaustion, a state of depression, there's no question about it,'' Gibbs said about why he left the Denver Broncos in 2000.

--Rivera returns: Five years after promising to come back to the Chicago Bears, Ron Rivera accepted the defensive coordinator position with the team.

``It's a great opportunity and a great honor to come back to Chicago,'' said Rivera, the Philadelphia Eagles' linebackers coach the past five seasons.

A second-round pick by the Bears in 1984, the linebacker spent his entire nine-year career in Chicago and was part of the 1986 Super Bowl championship team. He retired in 1992 and spent the next four years as a broadcaster in Chicago.