The Washington Redskins have reportedly hired Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden as the team’s next coach. The team is expected to officially introduce him to the media later Thursday.
Sources for The Washington Post and ESPN confirmed the news early this morning. Gruden was considered a top head coaching prospect for many of the teams who had fired their previous coaches after the 2013 NFL season ended. He interviewed with Tennessee and had scheduled appointments in Minnesota and Detroit.
Gruden will take over from Mike Shanahan, who was fired on Dec. 30. He will try to bring stability to a struggling franchise which has had none in the 15 years since owner Dan Snyder took over. None of his previous five coaches have lasted over four seasons.
The Redskins were expected to compete in 2013, especially after Shanahan and quarterback Robert Griffin III lead the team to an NFC East championship in 2012. However, the team only won three games in 2013.
Gruden was on a Bengals team that did win the AFC North, but they lost in the first round of the playoffs for the third consecutive year. He is the brother of Monday Night Football commentator and former coach Jon Gruden.
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