Probably the biggest man in the auditorium stood at the podium wearing a purple Kansas State football shirt. A few stacks of Wildcats recruiting/media guides were smartly placed nearby, free for the taking.

Someone asked Ron Prince, a former college offensive lineman, if it gave him pause when he was asked recently to speak in the epicenter of Husker football territory.

“This is just football,” the second-year K-State head coach said Wednesday without hesitation minutes after giving a 70-minute presentation on open-field running and blocking at the annual Nebraska Coaches Association Multi-Sports Clinic at Lincoln North Star High School.

The 37-year-old Prince was born in Omaha. When he was seven months old, he said, he was fortunate to be adopted by a military officer and his wife. Prince’s adoptive father retired from active duty and went to work for 18 years at the Army hospital at Fort Riley, Kan., and Prince grew up in nearby Junction City.

“From my perspective, with my father’s military background and where we lived, this is just a game we play,” he said. “If we lose sight of the fact that this is just a game and that we’re all playing a kids’ game. … This isn’t enemy territory. These are football coaches here, and we’re sharing a little bit about the game. I think we all need to keep that in perspective.”

Steve Johnsen, executive director of the Nebraska Coaches Association, said he approached Prince about speaking at the clinic at the request of a few Nebraska high school coaches who had helped at K-State’s football camp.

“I e-mailed (Prince) a couple times and talked to him and had him hired within probably 15 to 20 minutes,” said Johnsen, noting Nebraska offensive line coach Dennis Wagner is scheduled to speak at the clinic today.

Prince said this particular speaking engagement was important to him, in part because he recruited two players from McCook to K-State — wide receiver Tony Purvis and place-kicker Josh Cherry — and has other Nebraska natives on the roster.

Prince said he wasn’t at the clinic for recruiting purposes. However, he noted that Kansas State opens every practice to high school coaches and their prospects. He also brought along those 40-plus Wildcat recruiting/media guides.

“We believe in the coaching profession and think it’s something we ought to guard,” he said. “We know there are plenty of people around who like to take shots at coaches and the responsibilities coaches have. We just think it’s a tremendous honor to be a coach at whatever level.”

How well is Prince received in Nebraska? Exactly what is his reputation in these parts? He said he has no idea.

“I assume I’ll be treated and greeted the same as any opposing coach,” he said.

His presentation made an impact on at least two high school coaches on hand.

“I thought he was a good speaker; I really enjoyed it,” said Bryan Vetter, an assistant coach at Hastings. “I mean, he gave us a little background, then he got straight to the presentation. He was very detailed. Very well-spoken.”

“Impressive,” said Patric Brechbill, an assistant at Stanton. “The way Kansas State schooled Texas last season, he must be doing something right.”

Kansas State finished with a 7-6 record last season, highlighted by a 45-42 comeback victory against  Texas. Prince said K-State’s expectations haven’t necessarily changed in his second season; the Wildcats still expect to capture the Big 12 North Division, he said.

“You come to coach and play at K-State because you expect to win,” he said.

Prince has picked up inspiration and ideas from coaches such as Tom Coughlin, Bill Arnsparger and Al Groh, each of whom coached in the NFL and college.

However, “I’ve really never had any interest in coaching in the NFL,” Prince said. “I really don’t look at it as some sort of Shangri-La. I think you have to have a purpose in your being and who you’re about and what your daily life and career’s about. And my purpose is to try to help put together a generation of young men who are alert and resourceful and have the ability to think on their feet and solve problems.

“In other words, to make an educated man.”

Briefly

Before his speech, Prince acknowledged the presence of two reporters in the crowd and noted the zeal with which reporters “follow around” coaches and players. If those reporters “all went to Afghanistan, they’d find bin Laden in about a week,” the coach said.

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.