ET, your memory is accurate. Daily was Rice's assistant, and he replaced his fired boss. He passed away while in Toronto undergoing last-ditch experimental (and tragically unsuccessful) medical treatment.
Agree with your assertion that Stroia was the worst, with Robic a clear second.
Pride, I can't confirm this but rumor was that Peters was tired of battling Jim Tressel over athletic funding. Perhaps somebody else knows the full story.