SMU Law Dean John Attanasio Denied Renewal

Southern Methodist University has decided not to extend the term of Dean John Attanasio.  He contract runs out in May.   The news was reported last week in the Dallas Morning News (may be behind paywall - but you can find the story in Google News for free).  The Morning News story made it seem like this broadly perceived as an outrageous decision, citing backlash from alumni, the bar and some faculty.  I understand, however, that faculty views about the decision are far from uniform.