Under Narduzzi, we just missed the playoffs in his third season (1977,) made it in 1978, and lost to Delaware in the 1979 D2 title game. Then his program collapsed, winning only two games in 1980. With a brand new stadium starting in 1982, his record over the last four years was 6-5, 4-7, 7-4, and 5-6. Mediocrity is never acceptable, then or now. As IP noted, the time for his dismissal had come.
As far as Lecter's comment about the family being angry about treatment after the firing, here is what I know. Whether this is the cause of the feud, I just cannot say. Technically, he was not fired; his contract was not renewed. But he remained a university employee until the conclusion of that academic year. I distinctly remember that his office was moved into that old hotel on Wick that used to house several academic departments until DeBartolo Hall was constructed. He was moved out of Stambaugh so that Tressel could move in. Perfectly logical. I know that caused friction. Undoubtedly there were other issues involved. What Pat cannot seem to grasp is that every single person involved in the dismissal of his father, from AD to president to Board of Trustees, has long since been gone from the school.