I can't claim to know the reason the BOV is pushing out Tim Sands, but it is not for the reason Kaine thinks. Sands was their perfect little puppet as evidenced by the BOV renewing his contract with a 200k raise before this. Something else is going on.
Sen. Tim Kaine suggests VT President Tim Sands may have been forced out | News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR
https://wfirnews.com/news/sen-tim-kaine-suggests-vt-president-tim-sands-may-have-been-forced-out

Sen. Tim Kaine suggests VT President Tim Sands may have been forced out
Virginia Junior US Senator Tim Kaine says in a statement he is deeply troubled by the sudden departure of Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. During a press conference this morning, Kaine said this action has the earmarks of previous well-publicized efforts to oust Presidents at other Virginia publi