I was going to post something very similar. The timing of this points to an element outside of "performance review at the end of the season".
The only possible explanations I can come up with:
- Interpersonal conflict: this could be between Stuckey and offensive staff, Stuckey and Freeman, Stuckey and players or who knows?
- Dereliction of duties: unwilling to do things as Freeman or the offense wants. This is really hard to believe but I guess it's possible.
- Character issues: this is the most unlikely, Brady Quinn has gone to bat for him as have others. I feel kind of back for Stuckey.
It can't be recruiting related, he has two - greatly improved classes between 2023 and 2024.
Part of me wants to feel encouraged that Freeman is a strong leader and willing to make a difficult decision when it needs to be made and part of me is fearful that we're beginning to see some fault lines in his approach. And the only real way to judge these moves is see how the offseason, and ultimately, 2024 plays out.