ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins wanted a methodical search, hoping to interview numerous candidates. Until they found the guy they knew they had to have. And late in the day Wednesday, near the end of their interviews with Jay Gruden, they knew it was time to act.

It wasn't anything Gruden, the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator, said in particular. But it was about everything they knew and had heard. They liked his enthusiasm. They liked his vision. They liked his people skills.

"We're sorry for the Bengals' [playoff] loss," Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said. "But it worked out great for us. … Once Jay's interview was about three-quarters through, we knew he was the right guy. It was a unanimous decision."

The Bengals found a quick replacement for Gruden, promoting running backs coach Hue Jackson to offensive coordinator.

The Redskins gave Gruden a five-year deal, a longer one than the typical first-time NFL head coach. But they wanted to provide him with as much confidence as possible to do the job right. Washington also made sure he didn't make it out of town for a scheduled interview with the Minnesota Vikings. Gruden had interviewed with the Tennessee Titans earlier in the week.

But in the end Gruden's familiarity with a number of people already in the Redskins organization made a difference. He worked for Allen while both were at Tampa Bay -- Gruden spent seven seasons as an offensive assistant there -- and also has worked with three members of the coaching staff in the past: defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, secondary coach Raheem Morris and tight ends coach Sean McVay. Gruden said he also was attracted by a desire to work with quarterback Robert Griffin III.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," Gruden said. "It makes you nervous. It makes you excited. A lot of different emotions are knifing through you. I want to get started right now, but there's so much to do before you get started."

Gruden inherits a team that not only went 3-13 this past season, but was the target of one anonymous-source story after another in the final month, poisoning the atmosphere at Redskins Park. They are one year removed from a division title.

"I don't know what happened last year," Gruden said. "All I care about is next year moving forward. We'll forget about the past and look forward to the future."

He said he wasn't bothered by all the negativity that surrounded the franchise this past season -- and throughout various times in the past 15 years.