Mel Tucker named Bears defense coordinator

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CHICAGO, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears named Mel Tucker as defensive coordinator, one day after Rod Marinelli moved on to become defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys.

Tucker, 41, comes to the Windy City from Jacksonville where he held the same position and was considered a solid candidate of the many head coaching vacancies around the league that have been filled this month.

"I love him," Jaguars safety Chris Harris told the Chicago Tribune. "He's a fun coach to play for. He is a great communicator."

Tucker served as the Jaguars' interim head coach at the end of the 2011 season, going 2-3 after Jack Del Rio was fired.

The Tribune said Tucker had his hands full this season as Jacksonville hobbled to a 2-14 record, which the newspaper said was due in large part to personnel issues.