I'm shocked over Aubrey Pleasant not getting this gig, in fact, after his interview you could cue the crickets because nothing out of Cincinnati besides stating "Pleasant will not be back for a second interview." Now IMO, I felt Pleasant was a good get out of Washington and he chose the Rams over the Redskins even though Pleasant's title would be superior "Secondary coach vs CB Coach." to work under Wade Phillips, but his first opportunity to interview for DC did not land him the gig.
Again, it could be the Bengals wanted somebody with experience and IMO, Taylor overplayed his hand thinking he was going to land Saints DC Dennis Allen, who like Philips in Denver in 2017 was no longer under contract and could have moved to Cincinnati, however, decided to stay in New Orleans. Taylor because thinking he could land Allen, felt Jack Del Rio was not the right fit and when Allen decided to stay with the Saints, Taylor could not go back to Del Rio.
Since then Dom Capers said no, Florida's DC Todd Grantham not only said no, stated why as he felt the Bengals defense was lacking in personnel for the change to the 3-4. Then the Bengals made a half hearted attempt for Ohio State Co-Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley, but Hafley had never coordinated a defense either as he came to Ohio State this year after being DB Coach for San Francisco.
Now enter Sweet Lou Anarumo, that's right, someone who has only been a DC in college at a very low level and was interim DC for the Dolphins when Taylor was interim OC back in 2015 for 12 games in Anarumo took over for Kevin Coyle. Granted Anarumo & Taylor did work together and Anarumo has some experience albeit very little being a DC and that might be the reason, they are going with him over Pleasant, but if somebody is really that good, usually, they get the gig instantly and in Pleasant's case, that apparently has not happened.