JimRob might not have had a choice. Yes, losing Tony's posts is upsetting but we're talking about a high profile position.
Question -- has any other media type (radio show host, columnist, etc.) ever been elevated to this type of position AFTER having been part of the media? We know what happened to Stephanopoulis and other former staff, but this is the other way around!
Technically, JR has every right in the world to keep them there. It was probably a good will move to maintain the relationship with Tony (and thr WH by extension).