ANALYSIS/OPINION:
In early January 2014, the Washington Redskins were looking for a new head coach, having fired Mike Shanahan on Dec. 30.
There were a number of candidates available — two of them from Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis’ staff — defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.
The Redskins reportedly had both candidates on their list, among others, but interviewed Gruden first. He was well known to general manager Bruce Allen, who had worked with Gruden in Tampa Bay. Allen also was close to Gruden’s brother Jon going back to their days in Oakland.