Bears to retain DC Mel Tucker, fire DL and LB coaches

The Chicago Bears announced changes to their defensive coaching staff Sunday, but the biggest name on that side of the ball is sticking around to run the show next season.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bears will retain defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, and fire their defensive line and linebackers coaches, Mike Phair and Tim Tibesar.

"We believe Mel is the right person to lead our defensive unit," Bears head coach Marc Trestman said.

That defensive unit surrendered an NFL-worst 161.4 yards rushing per game in 2013, nearly 30 yards per game worse than the league's second-worst unit.