I would argue the opposite is more plausible; if one is a good plumber, one is likely also a good professional plumber. I would like to see if this trend is cross disciplinary or say it is mainly within say social sciences or humanities. Personally, I have meet many university students and PhDs whose intellect at best was ordinary.
What I meant was that the skill set to become a successful professor (grantsmanship, political wheeling and dealing) is antithetical to being a good scientist.
