Nebraska makes decision on head coach Scott Frost

Scott Frost has put together an underwhelming four seasons at the helm of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, leading the program to just a 15-27 overall record, but athletic director Trev Alberts made clear on Monday that the university would not be making change anytime soon.

In a rather unexpected press release, Alberts effectively doubled down on his trust that Frost is the right coach to turn around the Nebraska program; moreover, he said that the university has agreed to a restructured contract with Frost. Frost’s current contract, which runs through 2024, pays an annual base salary of $5 million and would require a $20 million buyout if he’s fired before Jan. 1, 2022.

“In my four months at Nebraska, I have closely observed our football team,” Alberts said, in part. “Scott has laid out a clear plan and vision for the future of Nebraska football and has agreed to a restructured contract. I am excited to continue to work together with Scott. … We recognize that his record has not been what anyone wants it to be. I have been clear that I have been looking for incremental progress, and I have seen that in several key areas this season. Our team continues to compete at a high level. … An important reflection of the leadership of Coach Frost and his staff.”

Given that Frost’s buyout clause, if fired before Jan. 1, is a high $20-million toll, the university may have restructured to shorten the length of his current contract.

In the same press release, Frost put out a statement thanking Alberts and the rest of the Nebraska athletics department for their trust. Frost also acknowledged that the Cornhuskers’ performance to-date has not been up to par, and he expects that to change.

“I appreciate the confidence Trev Alberts has shown in me to continue to lead this program. I love this state, this football program and am honored and humbled for the opportunity to serve as the head coach at my alma mater,” Frost said. “I understand we have not won at a high enough level, but I am confident our football program will continue to take steps forward.”

Frost and Nebraska fell to No. 5 Ohio State on Saturday, an outcome that most everyone saw coming. The way it happened, however, was rather unexpected; Nebraska played Ohio State close all game, losing just 26-17 in the end. The Cornhuskers, who fell to 3-7 after the loss, have lost their seven games by an average 6.8-point margin of defeat, revealing that they have been close in most games.

That said, Frost has still put together one of Nebraska’s worst few-year stretches in program history. After Nebraska clinched another losing season on Saturday, that marked four in a row for Frost, who became the first Nebraska football coach to tally four consecutive losing seasons since Bill Jennings from 1958-1961.