I will take a beating...

[ABoselli]

So in your scenario, the losing coach loses his ability to "take care of their families, put food on the table, and purchase adequate housing"? Umm, no. How many guys are walking around with it on the resume to start out with? How many of them are competing for other jobs? Most (97%) jobs are being competed for by coaches who have not won a NC.

If he is in the DII NC game, he's moving up in the ranks. His earning power has not been cut off (or end of the gravy train) but he may not realize his big payday - maybe. Jim Tressel won multiple NC's at Youngstown St, as I recall, and it took him a while to land the OSU job.

What it boils down to, I guess, is can you look yourself in the mirror and say you have done all you can to make yourself the best official / coach you are capable of being? That's what I go by. If I don't move up as fast as I think I should be, or don't get as big a game as I think I should - its on me and no one else.