EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin informed defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and cornerbacks coach Peter Giunta that they would not return next season.

The news comes nine days after the Giants finished a disappointing 6-10 season in which the defense was 29th overall in the league.

“No one person is responsible for what happened in this year,” Coughlin said in a statement. “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.

“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.”

In his season-ending press conference, Coughlin defended Fewell — vigorously at times — noting that the defensive coordinator who joined the Giants staff in the 2010 season “had his hands full” thanks in part to the numerous injuries that wipes out three of the team’s top cornerbacks, two starting linebackers and two key defensive ends.

“I’m trying to introduce balance,” Coughlin said.

The Giants’ defense fell apart no matter what Fewell did.

Perhaps the most disturbing statistic working against Fewell was the Giants were outscored by opponents 230-169 in the second half of games, suggesting that perhaps Fewell was unable to make adjustments.

With the search on for a new defensive coordinator, potential candidates include Steve Spagnuolo, currently a defensive assistant with the Ravens; Pepper Johnson, most recently with Buffalo; Mike Smith, fired by the Falcons; Mike Nolan, the former Falcons defensive coordinator; and Jim Schwartz, current defensive coordinator for the Bills.

Nolan and Schwartz could be free agents depending on coaching searches in Atlanta and Buffalo but are presently under contract for 2015.

Spagnuolo, Nolan, and Johnson all have ties to the Giants organization. Spagnuolo, who was the defensive coordinator in 2007-2008, contributed to the Giants’ 2007 Super Bowl championship.

Nolan served as Giants’ defensive coordinator in 1993-1996 under head coach Dan Reeves.

Johnson played linebacker for the Giants in the 1986-1992 seasons, contributing to the franchise’s first two Super Bowl championships. He served as a defensive assistant coach under Bill Belichick, the architect of the Giants’ 1986 and 1990 Super Bowl championships.

NOTES: Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was added to the Pro Bowl roster Wednesday after Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson dropped out due to injury. Beckham is the first Giants rookie named to the Pro Bowl since Jeremy Shockey in 2002 and the first Giants receiver to represent the Giants in the league’s annual all-star game since Victor Cruz in 2012.