Robert Prince may get the last laugh after all.
The former Boise State offensive coordinator was hired as the new Detroit Lions wide receivers coach. New Head Coach Jim Caldwell recently said at the Senior Bowl that he wanted a WR coach who was “knowledgeable, energetic, enthusiastic and has expertise in what he’s doing.”
He got his man and now Prince will probably make between $200-400,000, likely as much money as he did at Boise State.
Without the headaches.
Prince now has a veteran offensive minded NFL Head Coach, a young ALL PRO to be QB in Matt Stafford, a familiar back up in Kellen Moore, the #3 passing offense in the NFL (ypg.) and a hall of fame receiver in Calvin ‘Megatron’ Johnson. Prince biggest challenge will be to develop a solid #2 option. The Lions lost Ryan Broyles and Titus Young for all of last season and will have to hope Nate Burleson recovers from injury or they add a viable option from the draft or free agency.
Still the cupboard isn’t bare. Boise State’s receiving corps must be rebuilt; they don’t have an all-league QB and right now have no back up. Washington was graduating its QB, top RB Bishop Sankey is leaving for the NFL and the PAC 12 is loaded with talent.
He won’t miss the trips to Laramie.
Interestingly, one criticism of Caldwell was his play calling in Indianapolis and the new OC in Detroit in Joe Lombardi (yes, the grandson of Vince Lombardi) has never been an OC in the NFL. So, Prince has some common experiences to share with his new staff.
Prince fate as an OC under Coach Pete was a public, slow death. Coach Pete’s ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy about evaluating his players in public really made it appear the coaches were all at fault, especially Prince. The lack of a dominating offensive line in 2012 or 2013, playmaking WR’s and explosive plays overall sealed Prince fate. Of course, he had responsibility as well. I would bet Coach Pete would have wanted Prince to come to him with answers after the 2012 season. I bet Prince didn’t know what Pete wanted and just followed directions. When Boise State had great talent at most offensive positions coaches looked smart and got great jobs at Texas and Florida. When the recruiting didn’t work out as well at WR, offensive line and TE, coaches were left scratching their heads. Now, Pete is on his 4th OC in 5 years and starting over in Washington with Jonathon Smith.
I have no idea what went on privately but my hunch is Prince knew he wasn’t going to Seattle. First, Pease was given the WR job and I bet behind closed doors, Prince was told he wasn’t moving to Seattle. Harsin grabbed better recruiting ties in new OC Mike Sanford and then hired WR coach Junior Adams from Eastern Washington. Adams came inexpensive to Harsin and with no FBS recruiting experience. It was clear Harsin may have considered Prince as WR coach but in the end didn’t want him. My hunch is Prince would have kept his family here at a lower salary number. That left him working the phones to get a gig. He did it.
The Lions press is pointing out that Prince elevated Boise State from the 68th overall FBS offense in 2012 to #20 in 2013. They are happy to have him.
Bet he is happy to go.
