Marcus Freeman Addresses Chansi Stuckey Firing, Talks Wide Receivers

If the last two years have taught Notre Dame fans anything it’s that things can change quickly. Two years ago with the Irish still in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot, Brian Kelly bolted for LSU just hours after Notre Dame’s regular season ended with a win at Stanford. A year later, Drew Pyne entered the transfer portal after going 8-2 as a starter after he was informed that the Irish would pursue a transfer quarterback.

Fast forward to last week. Less than two days after the season again ended with a win over Stanford, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said he wanted to keep his entire coaching staff intact this offseason.

“I have a strong belief in the coaches that we have in this football program and would love all of them to be back,” Freeman indicated.

Just a day later, the first offseason shoe fell when Freeman dismissed wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey. That pivot came not long after Irish graduate receiver Chris Tyree had announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.

Freeman spoke publicly for the first time in a Sun Bowl media call this Monday and addressed the decision to part ways with Stuckey after two seasons on Freeman’s staff.

"From the last time we spoke, it was 24 hours of deep thought and difficult conversations with a lot of players and a lot of coaches regarding our overall performance at wide out and I had to make a difficult decision,” Freeman explained. "I am truly just thankful for Chansi and everything he’s done and given to this program, but we had to move forward and that’s what we’re going to do.”

The response was to the point, if short any extra clarity. For different reasons, sophomore Tobias Merriweather and freshmen Braylon James and Rico Flores, Jr all entered the portal last week as well.

Tyree (26 receptions, 484 yards) and Flores (27-392) were Notre Dame’s two leading wide receivers this season and both could have returned next season. Freeman was asked if he would have liked to have both of them back.

"When guys earn their degree and are seeking more playing time or a different opportunity, I’m supportive of that (decision to transfer),” Freeman responded. "I’m always disappointed when a guy leaves without his degree. So, that’s really the situation with those two.”

The departures leave Notre Dame’s receiving room short on depth, but still long on upside. Jayden Thomas, Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison are the top three producers from the season who are available. So is Matt Salerno, who missed nine games with a lower body injury.

There’s also Deion Colzie, who missed eight games with a knee injury, and freshman KK Smith, who had shoulder surgery during the early part of the fall.

"Both Deion and KK will be available (for the bowl),” Freeman said. "This is obviously KK’s first real practice. We’ve only had two practices so far, so I’m excited to see him as we continue to progress.”