Gordon writing a negative piece on President Holland and his speech was probably hard for those with influence in high places of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to want to retain him as a highly paid employee. The speech by President Holland was easy to find acceptable to those in President Holland's target audience. It was also easy to be offended by for those not in his target audience. His choice of language, words and illustrations were quite inflammatory.
Also problematic for GM with influencers close to the Latter Day Saints is GM's regular and completely not sport related focus on nudity and other off color, ribald topics. I am not saying he should have been fired. GM wrote and spoke to his audience. As the Utes grew in popularity over the last decade plus he became more Ute focused. The last year plus as BYU became more the focus of the fan base, GM became more friendly and focused on BYU.
I don't care either way. GM was fine to me, but often awkward.