Yes but they aren't programmers. Configuring routers using vendor tools and standard protocols is a different thing to SDN where all bets are off. It's going to

Yes but they aren't programmers. Configuring routers using vendor tools and standard protocols is a different thing to SDN where all bets are off. It's going to take a different skill set - some people will make the transition and some won't. All of the major network vendors (most notably Cisco) have put a lot of effort into their education programs so that there is a certified pool of talent out there to run their equipment. And all of those people have a vested interest in the status quo. The OpenFlow talks that I've attended have been presented by people that are openly hostile to network engineers which doesn't help the situation.