Scott Frost will be retained as the head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers beyond the 2021 season, athletic director Trev Alberts announced on Monday. Frost, who is 15-27 in four seasons at the helm, has also agreed to a restructured contract, which will reduce his salary from $5 million to $4 million in 2022. Additionally, his buyout will drop from $15 million to $7.5 million.
"In my four months at Nebraska, I have closely observed our football team, and had several productive discussions with Coach Frost," Alberts said in a statement. "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 share a love of Nebraska and this football program and want nothing more than Nebraska Football to again compete for championships."
Frost's overall record includes a 10-23 mark in Big Ten play. The Cornhuskers have finished fifth in the Big Ten West in each of his first three seasons.
"I appreciate the confidence Trev Alberts has shown in me to continue to lead this program," Frost said. "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. Our immediate focus is on the two games ahead against Wisconsin and Iowa, and the opportunity in front of us to build momentum heading into the offseason and 2022. I understand we have not won at a high enough level, but I am confident our football program will continue to take steps forward."
News of Frost's retention did not prevent a mid-season change from occurring, however. In a separate release, the program announced four offensive staff members were relieved of their duties, effective immediately: offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Matt Lubick, offensive line/run game coordinator Greg Austin, running backs coach Ryan Held and quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco.
Frost primarily called plays early in his Nebraska tenure, but handed over responsibilities to Lubick near the end of the 2020 season. With Lubick gone, Frost could play a bigger role in the offense once again. The only offensive staffer returning for the final two games of the season is tight ends coach Sean Beckton.
The Cornhuskers are 3-7 (1-6 Big Ten) this season, and have lost four straight games heading into this weekend's matchup at Wisconsin. However, all seven losses were by nine points or fewer. Matchups against top 10 opponents Oklahoma, Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State were decided by a combined 22 points.
"We all recognize our record has not been what anyone wants it to be," Alberts said. "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 has continued to compete at a high level and the young men in our program have remained unified and shown great resiliency, which is an important reflection of the leadership of Coach Frost and his staff."
The lack of success at Nebraska is a far cry from the expectations that came with Frost following his time at UCF. The Knights went 13-0 and won the Peach Bowl in 2017 -- Frost's second year leading the program. He earned numerous awards following the season, including the Home Depot Coach of the Year award. That undefeated season came just two years after the Knights went 0-12 in 2015 under George O'Leary, who resigned after an 0-8 start.
Frost was a two-time national champion quarterback at Nebraska (1995, 1997) who threw for 1,237 yards, rushed for 1,095 yards and had 24 total touchdowns (five passing, 19 rushing) during the 1997 season.
