Trible wasn't a bad Senator. He was just a junior senator in John Warner's shadow.
His wrong move was declining to stand for reelection because he was afraid of a challenge from Chuck Robb. Thus handing the seat over the Robb without a fight. Then Trible tried to out conservative himself to get the nomination for Governor in 1989. He failed.
Since then however, he's done quite a good job as President of Christopher Newport College.
Agreed ref. CNU