Scott Frost on Nebraska: ‘Don’t Take the Wrong Job’

UCF head coach Scott Frost didn’t shy away from reflecting on his misstep at Nebraska during Big 12 Media Days on Tuesday afternoon.

He put it simply: “Don’t take the wrong job.”

Frost explained the lesson behind that advice, saying, “I said I wouldn’t leave UCF unless it was someplace you could win a national championship. 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. I’m lucky to get back to a place where I was a lot happier.”

That’s raw and real from a coach who skyrocketed UCF to an undefeated season and national championship claim in 2017, then stumbled badly at Nebraska from 2018 to 2022. His record there was 16–31 with a 0–14 mark against ranked opponents, and fans still talk about the horrendous fall from grace. Frost admits he was swayed by emotion more than logic.

That confession matters on two levels.

First, it adds weight to Frost’s return to UCF. He came back not because the money was good or the timing was right. He came back because he learned the hard way and wants to win where he’s happiest. That sentiment resonates with the UCF community, which embraced him during his first run.

Second, it’s a lesson in ambition vs fit. Coaches chase upgrades all the time. Frost’s cautionary tale confirms it’s not always worth it.

Back at UCF, Frost is already referring to his second stint as coach, but this time with a fresh perspective. He’s owning the past and using it as guardrails for the future.

The takeaway for the Big 12? Frost has recalibrated. He knows where he belongs, and he isn’t looking to chase prestige again, unless it comes with the clarity he now demands.

That authenticity fits in a league where reputations ebb and coaches are under constant scrutiny. Frost’s message is simple: know your worth, stay in your lane, and don’t repeat mistakes.