Ponting was a complete clown. Always was. He had his brown hole licked out from about the age of 8 by every member of the cricket establishment. The only reason he changed was because he got a full time root. He mellowed out to please the missus. He hasnt changed though.
I'd sack him just to see how he responds. Hand the job to Hussey who is the true custodian of the game (in the Australian context).
Good coaches continue to challenge athletes. Sometimes that involves taking away things that were taken for granted. They either come back stronger or they fall away. That is sport.