Just_Curious : Yup. Don't forget Harper College. The head XC coach there is a retired high school teacher that won several IHSA 3A (Big School) titles and even came in second place at the Chicago Marathon many moons ago. He just won another NJCAA D3 XC National Championship and many of his athletes go on to NCAA D1 or other top tier programs (North Central is an example). Since he is getting sweet teacher retirement pension, I don't think money is a big issue and coaching off a stipend. He just took over as the head track and field coach as well. Last year the former head track and field coach retired after 30 years. She was one of the first female head coaches in the nation and definitely a pioneer. She was also a kinesiology professor and she knew her stuff. The women's team placed second in the nation while the mens placed 6th. Again...many of her athletes went on to NCAA D1 programs or other top tier programs.
As a former JUCO head coach myself, its not easy being the head coach. Depending on where you are the head coach, most of the time you will be a part time head coach it makes it rough. Recruiting is a challenge. And unfortunately you will get a lot of academic and discipline issues. I coached on the NCAA DII, DIII, and NJCAA D3 and to be very honest with you...NJCAA D3 was the most challenging. But you are put in the fire and you learn quickly which can help out if you want to coach at 4 year colleges. But as I mentioned before, most AD's at 4 year colleges don't think NJCAA is 'sexy' for marketing purposes and, in my opinion and from experience, most AD's don't really care about that. Again....its politics and who you know.