Shapiro is smart enough that if he replaced Gibbons it would be for an upgrade. He's not going to replace him with someone who he thinks would do a terrible job. Bud Black I think would be a fantastic choice and an upgrade over Gibbons.
I think Shapiro and Atkins want it to work with Gibbons and are trying to get him to be more progressive. But at the end of the day if they feel like he is still choosing his gut over the numbers they will replace him with someone who shares their same mindset.