Scott Frost’s December return to UCF—following Gus Malzahn’s departure to Florida State—has renewed scrutiny over his Nebraska tenure. Those close to Frost, along with his own admissions, hint he may never have been fully committed to the Cornhuskers.
That lack of connection could explain both his underwhelming results and desire to head back to Orlando. Frost originally took over UCF in 2016, guiding the Knights to a 6-7 mark. In 2017, he led them to a perfect 13-0 season, clinching the conference title, defeating Auburn in a bowl game and finishing No. 6 in the national rankings.
Scott Frost’s Return to UCF Raises Questions About His Nebraska Dedication
Scott Frost’s return to the University of Central Florida has not only brought a familiar face back to Orlando, but it has also reignited long-standing questions about his commitment to Nebraska during his time as head coach.
Despite being a celebrated former player and hailed as a program savior upon arrival in Lincoln, Frost’s tenure was marked by underperformance and instability.
Analyst Adam Breneman recently offered insight into Frost’s mindset, stating,
“Scott Frost never actually wanted to coach at Nebraska. He said he knew it wouldn’t make people happy but said, quote, ‘I knew it wasn’t the best for me.’”
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This admission aligns with the narrative that Frost may have accepted the Nebraska job out of obligation or pressure rather than genuine desire, an issue that likely influenced his coaching performance.
Frost took the reins at Nebraska in 2018 and compiled a 16-31 record before being dismissed just three games into the 2022 season. His stretch was marred by close losses—22 of them by a single score—highlighting his inability to shift the program’s fortunes despite early optimism.
That disappointment is now cast in a different light by suggestions that his heart may never have truly been in it.
After his firing, Frost stepped away from coaching in 2023 and focused on personal matters, including coaching his son’s flag football team. In 2024, he joined the Los Angeles Rams’ staff, where he worked closely with head coach Sean McVay. According to Breneman, McVay had candid conversations with Frost about his previous failures, telling him,
“If you can really look at some of the things that didn’t go down the way you wanted, real growth can occur. I saw that in him.”
Now back at UCF, Frost has reunited with former quarterback McKenzie Milton, who said Frost had previously expressed,“My goal is to get back to UCF.”
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That goal is now a reality, and the terms of his new deal reflect the university’s belief in his potential. Frost will start at $3.9 million annually, climbing to $5 million by the 2029–30 season. Performance bonuses could add as much as $325,000 based on championships and playoff results.
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