Six weeks ago Tom Coughlin and the Giants were in a “crisis,” according to Tiki Barber. Now, after five straight wins, the Giants’ all-time leading rusher says Coughlin is the NFL’s best coach at the season’s midway point.

Barber, along with other panelists, were giving out their midseason awards on Yahoo! video when Barber made his choice for coach of the year.

“You know what five wins in a row after starting the season tantalizingly … ya know, looking for his job,” Barber said. “I think the coach of the year right now is Tom Coughlin. He has them playing unbelievable football.”

This shocked the other panelists and prompted columnist Michael Silver to yell, “Oh no, he didn’t! Oh no, he didn’t!”

When the Giants started the season 1-2, Barber accused Coughlin of losing the team first during a Yahoo! video and again in a conference call with Giants reporters in anticipation of him being put in the team’s inaugural Ring of Honor class along with 29 others.

“I don’t know if he’s completely lost control of his team, but it’s definitely slipping away,” said Barber, who would be booed during the ceremony at New Meadowlands Stadium.

That was not the first time Barber had taken aim at the Giants. Shortly after he retired following the 2006 season, the running back blamed Coughlin’s extreme practice methods for retiring early. He also took a shot at Eli Manning’s leadership abilities. The Giants responded by winning the Super Bowl the following season. This time they reeled off five straight wins.

“I’ve always said he’s a good coach, now he’s finally proving it,” Barber said, apparently forgetting the team’s Super Bowl run.

“I don’t want to argue with Tiki choosing Coughlin; I just want to cherish it,” Silver would add.

He probably would find some Giants fans who would, too.