Report: Scott Frost, Nebraska under NCAA investigation

Nebraska and head coach Scott Frost are under NCAA investigation for improper use of analysts and consultants during practices and games. The school is also under investigation for holding unauthorized off-campus workouts under staff’s direction to avoid detection by school officials, according to Action Network’s Brett McMurphy

Per McMurphy’s report, the school has “significant video footage” confirming the practice violations took place in the presence of Frost and other assistants. The NCAA’s investigation includes Nebraska’s impermissible use of analysts and consultants conducting and controlling drills pertaining to special teams.

McMurphy also reports that Frost has obtained legal counsel, and the NCAA has interviewed Frost, current and former staff members, administration and football players regarding the allegations. The allegations date back 12 months.

According to McMurphy, when the NCAA prohibited organized athletic activities because of the pandemic, Nebraska relocated its strength workouts to an undisclosed off-campus location to avoid being detected by school officials. The unauthorized organized workouts were held at the direction of NU’s strength and conditioning staff, a direct violation of NCAA rules.

Statement from Athletic Director

Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts issued a statement on the NCAA investigation, as previously reported by ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

“The University of Nebraska Athletic Department has been working collaboratively with the NCAA to review a matter concerning our football program,” Alberts said. “We appreciate the dialogue we have had with the NCAA and cannot comment further on specifics of this matter”

In an impromptu press conference on Wednesday, Frost said everything that Nebraska did through the pandemic was in the best interest of players and coaches, and that compliance approved all team activities.

In the press conference Alberts also spoke and noted the investigation preceded him and he was made aware of the investigation only after he was hired.

Issues with analysts

In the last couple months, Nebraska has seen analyst analyst Jonathan Rutledge and chief of staff Gerrod Lambrecht depart the program. It is unknown at this time if the departures are related to the NCAA investigation.

Rutledge was fired in January after just one season at Nebraska. At the time, local media reported Rutledge’s departure was due to poor special teams play.

Frost announced Lambrecht would be leaving the program in early August. In the announcement, Frost told reporters he considered Lambrecht “one of my best friends in the world.” Lambrecht had been Frost’s chief of staff for five years dating back to Frost’s time at UCF.

The allegations only build open what’s been an underwhelming tenure at Nebraska for Scott Frost. After a 13-0 season in 2017 at UCF, Frost announced his homecoming, coming back to Nebraska, where he starred as a quarterback in the late 1990s.

Frosty time in Lincoln

Through three seasons, Nebraska holds a 12-20 record under Frost and has yet to see a bowl game.

This offseason, Nebraska also lost athletic director Bill Moos, who retired suddenly in June. Moos was replaced by former University of Nebraska-Omaha athletic director and former Nebraska football player Trev Alberts.

McMurphy reported that a potential punishment in this situation could include Frost being suspended for an unknown number of games, per an NCAA source.

Frost is entering 2021 with expectations to turn his disappointing tenure to date around. Add in an NCAA investigation, a schedule that includes Oklahoma, Ohio State, Michigan and the usual division opponents, Iowa and Wisconsin, and a new athletic director, Frost could see himself firmly on the hot seat this season.