UCF head coach Scott Frost has returned to the sidelines with a renewed sense of purpose, but his tenure at Nebraska still looms large in his career narrative. Speaking at Big 12 Media Days, Frost offered a candid assessment of his time with the Cornhuskers, distilling a hard-earned lesson into a succinct phrase: “Don’t take the wrong job.”Frost’s journey back to UCF, where he previously led the Knights to a historic 13-0 season in 2017, underscores a redemption arc after a challenging five-year run at his alma mater.
Appointed Nebraska’s head coach in 2018, the former Husker quarterback arrived with high expectations, buoyed by his success in Orlando and his role in Nebraska’s 1997 national championship team. However, the reality fell far short. His record of 16-31, including an 0-14 mark against ranked opponents, culminated in his dismissal three games into the 2022 season following a stunning home loss to Georgia Southern.The Nebraska experience, Frost admitted, was a misstep driven by sentiment rather than strategy. “I said I wouldn’t leave [UCF] unless it was someplace you could win a national championship,” he explained. “I got tugged in a direction to try to help my alma mater and didn’t really want to do it. It wasn’t a good move.”
The pressure to revive Nebraska’s storied program, combined with the weight of his own legacy, proved a burden he couldn’t overcome, marked by 22 one-score losses and a failure to secure a single winning season.Now back at UCF, Frost appears reinvigorated. His return in December 2024, on a five-year contract through 2029, taps into the magic of his earlier tenure, when he transformed a winless 2015 squad into a national contender. The Knights, now in their third year in the Big 12, are banking on his proven ability to ignite a program. Frost’s focus has shifted to building a sustainable future, leveraging the stability and support he found lacking in Lincoln.
The “don’t take the wrong job” mantra resonates beyond personal reflection—it’s a cautionary tale for coaches navigating the high-stakes world of college football. For Frost, the lesson is clear: fit and passion outweigh nostalgia. As he prepares for the 2025 season, his enthusiasm for UCF is palpable, a stark contrast to the stress he endured in Nebraska. “I’m lucky to get back to a place where I was a lot happier,” he noted, signaling a commitment to reclaiming the success that once defined his career.UCF fans, eager for a return to 2017’s glory, will watch closely as Frost applies this wisdom. With a roster hungry for progress and a conference schedule brimming with challenges, his second act in Orlando could redefine his legacy—or serve as a reminder of the perils of the wrong move.
