TEPaul,
Are you implying that a visit from one of these three led the super to lose his/job? Or something else?
Before independent consultants were common (although the USGA green section reps have been going a long time, and have had the same perception problems) I think a superintendent who heard that the club was hiring Terry or whoever was more nervous than now. So, maybe their perceptions have changed as the business has matured as much as the agronomists have changed their tactics. (Or both)
In any case, being a consulting agronomist is tough. I don't know any who haven't been accused of costing someone their job. They aren't called in often if things are going great. And there is always pressure on a consultant to find something they can do better. Often, they bring ideas from higher end clubs, or have more credibility than the guy on the job, or at least can back him up in his requests on the needs for more money, equipment, etc.
They do respect supers, but I do know that some clubs are probably already thinking of replacing their super anyway, and use the laundry list of recommendations to finalize the deal in some cases. I think its a fairly low percentage, but as always, could be wrong.
And, from time to time, there are supers who, like gca's, are wrong for the job they are in, even if talented and are good in other situations.