Fewell to the Fire: Giants axe defensive coordinator

East Rutherford, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Giants fired defensive coordinator Perry Fewell on Wednesday.

Fewell had served as the team's defensive coordinator since 2010.

The Giants' defense struggled this season, finishing 29th in yards allowed per game. The club suffered numerous injuries on the defensive side as well with cornerbacks Walter Thurmond and Prince Amukamara, defensive linemen Robert Ayers and Mathias Kiwanuka and linebacker Jon Beason all falling to injury.

A year prior the Giants finished as a top-10 defensive unit.

"No one person is responsible for what happened in this year," said Giants head coach Tom Coughlin. "That has to be loud and clear. If there is any one person responsible, it is me. The simple fact of the matter is in the circumstance that we find ourselves, change is necessary. That may not be the most eloquent way of saying it, but that is what I am confronted with. The hope always is invigoration. You are going to stimulate. It is with great deliberation over a lengthy period of time throughout a thorough investigation and evaluation of what went on that I came to the conclusion that change was necessary."

This is the second straight season the Giants made significant coaching changes. Last year, offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride retired, giving way to Ben McAdoo. However, Coughlin remains at the helm.

The Giants, who finished 6-10 in 2014, also fired secondary/cornerback coach Peter Giunta.