The game doesn't necessarily need more admins, it needs mechanics that make the value of one human admin more than it currently is. There are like 15 people who are admins who can basically only tell me, under many situations, that they'd love to help but can't.
Jhorleb doesn't need to be turned into a lame duck. The only thing I could think of justifying it would be if he had amazing building talents or was a level-headed administrative figure, but neither of those have anything to do with being a good player.... the fact that I think Jhorleb is these things notwithstanding, it's a peter principle issue.
Right now I think we should basically promote people to IMMs who could stand to be toned down a few notches by all the bureaucratic BS they have to deal with. Like.... Edoras, or Ardith. They're make fantastic contributions to the pantheon. They'd fit right in.
Jhorleb just needs to roll another character.
I think he's done more for retaining MUD membership through his roleplay than even five immortals have done through their... immortaling.