What it would cost Nebraska to fire Scott Frost during the 2022 season

In November of 2021, Nebraska restructured Scott Frost’s contract as Cornhuskers head football coach. The major details included a drop in base salary and a one-year extension to his previous deal that will keep him with the program through the 2027 season.

Also included in the deal — Frost’s contract buyout.

What seemed so far away at the time, is now rapidly approaching. When Nebraska battles Indiana on Oct. 1, Frost’s buyout would be split in half from $15 million to $7.5 million — something every Cornhuskers fan is going to have in mind, especially after Saturday’s heartbreaking season opening loss against Northwestern.

The addendum to Frost’s contract is enacted on Oct. 1, but runs all the way through Dec. 31, 2026 (365 days before his deal is up).

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The loss — Frost’s seventh straight Big Ten defeat — was the 21st one-score loss of his tenure as head coach at his alma mater, dating back to 2018. That’s the worst mark in one-score games in FBS through that period, and it increases the amount of discussion about his future in Lincoln. Frost addressed whether or not he would ever consider stepping down as Cornhuskers headman.

“No, absolutely not,” Frost said, via Nebraska On3’s Steven Sipple. “I love Nebraska. I’m going to fight with these guys as long as I can.”

That decision isn’t entirely based off his love of the Cornhuskers program, but the financial aspect of his stepping down would be substantial compared to if he waited out his contract or if he were to be fired.

During the same four-year period — Oct. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2026 — if Frost resigns, he’ll be forced to pay “liquidated damages” to the university. Those damages include $2.5 million and $1.25 million, “on a prorated basis for each remaining year of the Contract of Employment,” though will not be forced to pay anything if his resignation came at any point during the 2027 calendar year.

Whether Nebraska Athletics pulls the plug on Frost directly after their game against the Hoosiers on Oct. 1 remains to be seen, but the Cornhuskers have a decent chance to turn their fortunes around before they get there.

Over the next two weeks, they’ll battle mid-major opponents North Dakota and Georgia Southern, where they’ll be favorites to win at home both weeks. Week Four is when the schedule picks up with a battle against No. 9 Oklahoma at home on Sept. 17 — which could provide Frost that signature win that has eluded him his entire tenure — and in turn, keep him around in Lincoln for a bit longer.