If this article is an accurate portrayal, it is surprising yet sad someone with such a site (sole owner, >5M visitors, sustained growth+traffic over years, source of numerous profitable spin-offs, etc.) is in debt and unprofitable.

Surely it is better to run ads that are not optimal but make you money (a balanced comprise), than be unhappy, in debt, and looking for a job?

I don't think he would be happy in most day jobs either (as such people rarely are) and with an income stream he could pursue other ideas that interest him.