Agreed, there were other issues.
However, it's a problem we are just hearing about, and to a large degree, most people either 1) kept their mouth shut, or 2) are seeing the relationship in rear-view mirror. I don't think the rough relationship was the straw that broke the donkey's back. Hell the CC was probably not it either, but it with the poor play with Michigan, Strick should have know there was a very high probably he'd need to pull the trigger during the season, this season.
Before making the decision to do so, you need to have an idea of the future. Personally, I've never fired a person on the spot (2 hrs after the event the earliest). I've always had an idea weeks, if not months before. Generally delaying for the right moment - opportunity and/or future plan ready.