First off "Kirk is a maverick" is right along the lines of "a port in every girl" - It might be the rep the character has, but it is demonstrably not true.
Second, Kirk tried to NOT take command in TWOK, first from Starfleet and then from Spock. Starfleet insists (as does Spock). TSFS is another issue, but even after III and IV he is awarded command (as "punishment", HA!) as Phoenix219 has pointed out.
Finally, the Klingons weren't going to roll over and play nice if onlly the Federation would sideline the infamous Jimmy Kirk. I assume Starfleet knows this. (CinC "Bill" isn't shown to be part of the conspiracy, is he?) However, I'm sure there are Federation civilians that would make just that claim.
And I like your timeline. I've decided I don't give a hang about what "year" things happen in, but the relative dates mostly line up with my findings, with a wiggle of a year or two in some places.
BTW, I'm listening to the score of TMP while I write this. That's reason enough right there to not ignore TMP.