UCF's Scott Frost makes big admission about disastrous Nebraska tenure

Scott Frost feels ditching the UCF Golden Knights for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in December 2017 was one of the biggest mistakes of his career.

"Don't take the wrong job," the head coach, who has since reunited with UCF, said Tuesday at Big 12 media days when asked what his biggest lesson was at Nebraska.

The former Cornhuskers quarterback then explained the allure of winning a national championship at his alma mater convinced him to take the job, even though he probably shouldn't have.

"I said I wouldn't leave [UCF] unless it was someplace you could win a national championship," Frost said. "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."

After going 13-0 during the 2017 season at UCF, Frost went 16-31 in five seasons with the Cornhuskers. This included a brutal 2021 season, where Nebraska lost eight one-possession games and finished 3-9. 

Since Frost's firing in September 2022, the program hasn't fared much better. In two seasons under his replacement, Matt Rhule, the Cornhuskers are 12-13. 

Frost's comments could still be viewed as him refusing to take accountability for his failures at the traditional powerhouse. The Cornhuskers, who have won five national championships, should provide all the resources needed to compete for titles. It seems Frost may not have taken advantage of them. 

Regardless, he insists he will succeed at UCF, which may not be any easier than winning at Nebraska. The Golden Knights went 4-8 last season. As of Tuesday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives them a 4.7% chance to win the Big 12.

"I like being the underdog," Frost said of the low expectations. "It's going to give us some fuel and motivation for what I think we can accomplish."

Frost better hope his team proves him right. Otherwise, that'll give Nebraska fans plenty of reason to poke fun at him.