Perry Fewell Fired by Giants: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

After five seasons as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator, Perry Fewell was relieved of his duties Wednesday along with defensive backs coach Peter Giunta, the team announced.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, who was retained following the 6-10 season, spoke to Giants.com on Fewell's departure:

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No one person is responsible for what happened in this year. That has to be loud and clear. If there is any one person responsible, it is me. It is not Perry Fewell. It is not Peter Giunta. Both of them are outstanding football coaches in their own way. ... 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.

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Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports first reported the move Wednesday morning.

This news comes as somewhat of a surprise, as it was recently reported that head coach Tom Coughlin and the Giants organization intended to retain Fewell, per WFAN Sports Radio:

Giants safety Antrel Rolle was shocked at the news, as he told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Wednesday morning:

A change of heart obviously occurred, though, and Fewell is now out of a job.

The G-Men did win a Super Bowl under Fewell in 2012. However, things have gone downhill ever since. New York ranked 29th in total yards allowed this past season and surrendered a league-worst 4.9 yards per carry.

Fewell's firing caps a rapid fall from grace, as he was once considered an intriguing head coaching candidate, according to Bleacher Report's Michael Schottey:

Vacchiano reported one candidate the Giants will consider as Fewell's replacement:

Fewell previously served as the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator from 2006 through 2009 and went 3-4 as Buffalo's interim head coach during the 2009 campaign.

Although Fewell hasn't been incredibly successful over the past couple seasons, he has a good enough track record that finding another job shouldn't be too difficult. Even if he doesn't immediately catch on as a defensive coordinator elsewhere, he has a background as a defensive backs coach, a role in which most teams would presumably love to have him.

It may take some time for Fewell to build his stock back up, but it's safe to say that his career as an NFL coach is far from over.

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