Kansas State Needs to Pay Ron Prince

As more an more details come out about the alleged secret deferred payment deal struck between Kansas State and former head football coach Ron Prince, the Wildcats look more and more petty.

No one is denying former KSU athletic director Bob Krause and Prince agreed to a deferred compensation package that would pay the coach $3.2 million from 2015-20. But the University filed a lawsuit in May, arguing against the validity of the deal because it didn't go through the proper channels.

Now Prince and his attorney have filed a $3 million lawsuit against KSU seeking punitive damages for this whole mess.

Prince's lawyers are saying that it was the University that felt parts of Prince's new contract needed to be concealed. The lawyers go as far to say former president Jon Wefald knew about the secret deal.

Prince was given a new five-year contract that paid him $1.1 million last fall, just months before the school fired him in November. The school is already on the hook to pay Prince $1.2 million plus $150,000 for a longevity clause in his contract if he was fired without cause.

Krause was subsequently relieved of his duties after once the agreement came to light. Krause hasn't been willing to discuss the matter. Certainly, as an athletic director Krause has the right to negotiate with coaches on behalf of the University.

But now what is becoming clear is that other administrators were aware of the deal and may sought to mislead Kansas taxpayers. This could get very interesting before the conclusion to pay Prince what he is owed is reached.