Coach to Coach: "The Fundamentals" - A peek at the Faith, Family, and Football career of Adrian College defensive backs coach James Prince

 

Photo Courtesy of Adrian College Athletics

By Nate McCray

When James Prince accepted the role of defensive backs coach at Division III Adrian College in February 2025, it wasn’t just a professional move, it was a testament to faith, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to both football and family. The nearly two-hour daily commute from his home to campus is more than just a drive; it’s a sacred space for reflection, a time where gospel music fills the car and centers his spirit. “Yeah, I still listen to some rap and R&B,” Prince says with a smile, “but the gospel helps me reflect on what I’ve been through, reminds me this journey is mine.” For some, the grind of the road would be too much. Not for J-Prince. “If God is okay with it and my family’s okay with it, I’m good,” he says with conviction. Before settling into our conversation, he made it clear who helped shape this chapter: then head coach Herb Haygood, who gave him his first opportunity at Madonna University.  Gratitude, faith, and a relentless commitment to the craft, that’s the foundation Coach Prince brings to Adrian.

Coach Prince’s passion for player development was further molded through his additional ongoing role as a Youth Educational Coach with the NFL’s Detroit Lions since 2017, a position that helped reshape his entire approach to teaching the game. “Honestly, those first couple years I was just trying to find my way again,” Prince admits, reflecting on the long gap since he had last coached youth football. “But coaching those young kids reminded me of the joy it brought me back to point number one.” That foundational mindset has carried over seamlessly to the college level. For Prince, whether he's working with 12-year-olds or 20-year-olds, it’s all about energy, enthusiasm, and building from the ground up. “It gives me confirmation that there are still young people interested in this game,” he says. “So, when I’m with the college guys, I’m looking for that same smile, that same spark, and I say, ‘Let’s go back to point number one.’” That return to the basics — technique, effort, attitude, is the cornerstone of his coaching philosophy.

The biggest adjustment for Coach Prince in his transition to the college game came down to two major elements: time management and intentional teaching. Off the field, the balancing act between being a coach, husband, and father was no small challenge. “My first couple of years at Madonna University, I’d come home, and it was time to be husband and dad — but I still had coaching work to do,” Prince admits. The responsibilities assisted him with establishing boundaries, eventually working out an agreement with his wife to prioritize family time before diving back into film study or player development late into the night. On the field, the adjustment was equally steep — not just in terms of X’s and O’s, but in embracing the role of an educator.  With limited hours to meet with players under NCAA rules, Prince had to maximize every moment. Whether it was sending out cut-up film with notes or using the first five minutes of every meeting for open dialogue unrelated to football, he found a rhythm that allowed him to build trust and teach more effectively. “Once we start talking about football, that’s what we’ll talk about,” he says. “But before that, I wanted to hear what’s on their minds.” That approach, grounded in empathy and structure, has become a hallmark of his coaching style.

For Coach Prince, the conversation around commitment isn’t just something he preaches to his players, it’s a message he’s shared at home, too. In a heartfelt discussion with his son, a former quarterback at Avondale High School now attending Michigan State University, Prince laid out the realities of the next level. “You thought it was a commitment in high school,” he told his son, “but when you get to college, it’s a whole different level.” It wasn’t a warning, it was preparation. Prince didn’t pressure him to continue playing, instead offering unconditional support. “If you decide you don’t want to play, I’m grateful for the time you did. Go be a great student. But if you do, give it your best and see what happens.” That moment of honesty reflects Prince’s broader coaching philosophy — rooted in understanding, encouragement, and respect for the journey. His son’s response? A simple, steady reassurance: “No, Dad. I’m good.” For Prince, that was enough. The message was received, and so was the meaning behind it.

When it comes to identifying and developing under-the-radar talent in the secondary, Coach Prince doesn’t rely solely on star ratings or flashy highlight reels, he looks for heart, resilience, and a genuine love for the game. “Your grades equal money,” he often tells recruits, emphasizing how academic discipline opens doors at the Division III level. But once the GPA checks out, Prince looks deeper, into the eyes, the body language, and even the smile of a young athlete. “I want to know if a kid smiles after a play, because that shows passion,” he says. For him, intensity and joy aren’t mutually exclusive, they’re essential traits of a player who truly loves football. At camps and workouts, Prince pays close attention to how defensive backs respond to adversity. “Every play’s not a highlight,” he admits. “But if you get beat, do you drop your head? Or do you reset and bounce back?” It’s a mindset test, one that he believes is especially critical for defensive backs, a position where confidence can vanish with a single mistake. If a player’s spirit cracks, Prince doesn’t just walk away. He coaches them through it, taking a moment to reset and build their mentality. That human-centered, detail-driven approach is what allows him to find and shape players others might overlook, turning raw potential into game-ready toughness.

Coach Prince’s film preparation process is built around more than just numbers and percentages, it’s about translating data into instinct, and instinct into execution. Each week, he breaks down the opponent’s tendencies by down and distance, formation, and yardage, the usual staples of preparation, but he doesn’t let his players become over-reliant on statistics. “The percentages are great,” he says, “but the computer isn’t playing football.” Instead, he uses film to sharpen his players’ situational awareness, identifying subtle cues like a receiver’s stance, split, or alignment that might tip off a route or concept. “What do they love to do offensively?” he asks his unit. “Let’s combat that but also be ready for when it doesn’t go according to the percentages.” To prepare for the unpredictable, Prince equips his defensive backs with what he calls a “tool bag” — a mental and physical repertoire of techniques and adjustments they can pull from in real-time. “I’m going to give you everything you need to defend whatever they do. You just have to pick the right tool.” That approach not only develops technique but builds adaptable, intelligent defenders who can respond with confidence when the game veers off script, because as Prince knows, sometimes it will.

When working with defensive backs who bring raw athleticism but lack polished fundamentals, Coach Prince takes a hands-on, detail-oriented approach to teaching discipline, eye control, and technique. During practice and film review, he positions himself strategically, often standing behind the receiver to view exactly what his players see in real time. “I’m watching where their eyes go, and then I focus on their feet,” he explains. “That first step tells me a lot, if there’s a false step, if their base is off, or if they’re guessing.” From there, he drills down with purposeful questions: What technique were you using? What was the coverage? Why did you make that decision? These reflective questions not only identify technical breakdowns but also encourage players to think critically about their choices. It’s not just about correction, it’s about comprehension. By consistently reinforcing the why behind each movement and decision, Prince transforms raw athletes into disciplined defenders who play with vision, purpose, and control qualities essential for success at the college level.

At the heart of Coach Prince’s core culture and coaching philosophy lies a standard of consistency, accountability, and purpose, all anchored by non-negotiable habits he instills in his defensive backs from day one. Every play begins the same way: with discipline. “I expect my DBs to be in their stance, and it has to be consistent,” he says. That expectation is built into his acronym S-T-A-R-T fast, a daily mantra for his room. S stands for stance, T for technique, A for alignment, R for responsibility, and the final T for trigger, the decision point to recognize and react to run or pass. It’s a system designed to eliminate hesitation and create clarity. But beyond the technical, Prince places equal weight on personal accountability. “You have to take care of yourself before you take care of somebody else,” he reminds his players. He challenges them to master their role before trying to be a hero, reinforcing the idea that a well-functioning unit only works when everyone does their job. One of his most vocal on-field demands is to “squeeze” — every play, every rep, no matter the coverage or distance. Whether it’s limiting a receiver’s release or leveraging a route toward help, squeezing is a mindset, a detail that defines effort, positioning, and control. For Prince, these principles aren’t up for debate. They’re the foundation of how he leads, teaches, and builds a room that plays fast, finishes faster, and functions as one.

For Coach Prince, the difference between a good secondary and a great one comes down to two core pillars: accountability and communication. “You’ve got four guys on the back end, so do your 1/4,” he emphasizes. That simple phrase encapsulates a complex truth: if each player owns his assignment, the entire unit has a chance to succeed. But when one link in the chain breaks, whether due to missed communication or someone trying to cover for another’s mistake, the whole structure collapses. Prince is quick to shut down finger-pointing, urging his players to start with themselves. “What did you do? If you did your job, great, let’s move on. But if none of you can say that, then we’ve got a problem.” It’s a no-excuses mindset built on trust and self-discipline, where each member of the secondary understands that greatness isn’t about highlight plays, it’s about unity, clarity, and four players doing their 1/4 every single down.

Before wrapping up our conversation, Coach Prince shared his reflections on his first spring ball at Adrian College, and his enthusiasm was undeniable. What stood out most wasn't scheme or technique, but the energy his defensive backs brought to the field from day one. “The way they took the field, I thought, man, there’s something different here,” he stated. That contagious energy sparked an immediate connection, especially with players who embraced his coaching style. “Some of the guys told me, ‘Coach me the way you want to coach me, I can handle it.’ And that meant everything,” Prince recalled. Known for his high-energy, vocal coaching presence, Prince made it clear that his yelling isn’t criticism, it’s commitment. “I yell because I’m in it,” he said. “From the start of the play to the end, I want them to hear my voice and know I’ve got their back.” And when the play is over, the passion doesn’t stop, it turns into high fives, fist bumps, and genuine encouragement. For Prince, spring ball wasn’t just about evaluating talent; it was about building trust, setting the tone, and laying the foundation for something special in the secondary.