The Golden Boy Puts the Fool in Fools Gold
Scott Frost’s tenure as head football coach at the University of Nebraska from 2018 to 2022 was marked by high expectations and profound disappointment. Hailed as a prodigal son returning to his alma mater, Frost was expected to revive a storied program. Instead, his 16-31 record over four-plus seasons cemented his place among the least successful coaches in Nebraska’s history. Yet, years after his dismissal, Frost continues to deflect responsibility for his failures, attributing his struggles to external forces rather than his own shortcomings. Without Nebraska’s platform—both as a player and coach—Frost might have remained an obscure figure in the football world. His recent comments reveal a persistent refusal to own his role in the Huskers’ decline, frustrating fans and analysts alike.
Frost’s return to Nebraska in 2017 was met with fanfare. As the quarterback who led the Huskers to a national championship in 1997, he was a celebrated figure, the embodiment of Nebraska pride. Athletic Director Bill Moos called him “the premier young coach in America,” and fans saw him as the savior to restore the program’s glory. Frost himself acknowledged the passion, stating, “When I was growing up, every kid in the state of Nebraska dreamed about running out here on this stadium, on this field wearing a red ‘N’ on their helmet.”
However, the dream quickly soured. Nebraska went 5-22 in one-score games under Frost, a statistic that underscores his inability to close out tight contests. His overall record of 16-31, including 10-26 in Big Ten play, ranks him among the least successful coaches in Nebraska’s history, comparable to Bill Jennings’ 15-34-1 from 1957-1961. Despite the resources—$20 million in salary and a $15 million buyout—Frost failed to deliver a single bowl game appearance.
Frost’s post-Nebraska narrative has been consistent: the failure wasn’t his fault. At the 2025 Big 12 Media Days, when asked what he learned from his time at Nebraska, Frost responded, “Don’t take the wrong job. 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.” This quote stunned observers, prompting Athletic senior writer Stewart Mandel to ask, “Did he really say that out loud?” Frost doubled down in an ESPN interview, stating, “I think I kind of knew that [the Nebraska job] wasn’t best for me. It was what some other people wanted me to do to some degree.”
These comments paint Frost as a reluctant participant, coerced into a role he didn’t want, despite accepting a seven-year, $35 million contract. Critics argue this narrative dismisses his agency. As one X post noted, “Oh Scott, dear boy, at some point you will need to take some accountability. Now get over your Peter Pan Syndrome, be a big boy and see if you can be a responsible adult.” Frost’s claim that he was “tugged” to Nebraska ignores the fact that he chose to leave a successful stint at UCF, where he led the Knights to a 13-0 season in 2017.
Frost’s tenure was also marked by in-game decisions that he later deflected. In a game against Iowa, Nebraska’s strategy of pooch kicking to avoid Iowa’s return game shifted late in a tied contest, resulting in a deep kick and a touchdown allowed. When asked who made the call, Frost claimed he didn’t know, a response that baffled fans and media. He also blamed external factors like TV timeouts for losing momentum and claimed Illinois’ unexpected formations forced him to abandon half his playbook. These instances, as one X user put it, show “a guy [who] always took zero accountability while he was at Nebraska.”
Frost’s identity is inseparable from Nebraska. As a player, he was the first Husker quarterback to rush and pass for over 1,000 yards in a season, leading the 1997 team to a national title. His iconic “campaign speech” after the 1998 Orange Bowl endeared him to fans, cementing his status as a Husker legend. Without Nebraska’s stage, Frost would not have had the platform to become a national figure. His coaching career began with Nebraska’s connections—mentored by Tom Osborne and later Chip Kelly, Frost’s path was paved by his Husker roots.
Yet, Frost’s comments suggest a lack of gratitude for the institution that elevated him. As one X post stated, “The wrong job that put $20M+ in his bank account? Where are the ‘wrong jobs’ listings for $30M gigs?” His refusal to acknowledge Nebraska’s role in his rise—both as a player and coach—strikes many as ungrateful. Athletic writer Mitch Sherman noted, “Frost could have won the day in Texas on Tuesday with a sentence or two to recognize Nebraska, which paid him more than $20 million in salary in addition to a buyout of approximately $15 million. He chose scorn.”
Frost’s lack of accountability stands in stark contrast to Nebraska’s current coach, Matt Rhule, who has emphasized ownership and responsibility. As one article argued, “Scott Frost showed us he takes no accountability for his performance at Nebraska. Matt Rhule and Nebraska should take a completely different approach.” Rhule, who led Nebraska to a 6-6 record and a bowl win in 2024, has focused on building a culture of accountability, a direct rebuke to Frost’s tenure.
Fans and analysts have grown weary of Frost’s deflections. One X user remarked, “Scott Frost refuses to take any accountability. As Head Coach of Nebraska he took shots at his players. Now he is taking shots at Nebraska.” Another added, “He was given more resources than any other coach has ever had at Nebraska. Probably could have handled this differently.” Frost’s comments not only alienate Husker fans but also raise concerns for his current role at UCF, where he returned in 2025. As one article noted, “Frost’s latest comments are annoying to Husker fans, but they should also make UCF faithful very nervous.”
Frost’s refusal to accept accountability undermines his legacy as a Husker hero. While he remains a legend for his 1997 exploits, his coaching tenure and subsequent comments have soured his standing. As one fan wrote, “Part of me thinks we all need to move on, Frost is gone and nothing will change what happened. Another much larger part of me hopes he loses every game the rest of his career for the way he half-assed the opportunity he had here.”
To rebuild his reputation, Frost could take a page from his own past. In 2019, he spoke of a team culture where players were “holding each other accountable and living up to a standard.” Yet, his recent statements suggest he has not applied that standard to himself. A simple acknowledgment of his role in Nebraska’s struggles—such as, “I love Nebraska and wish it would have worked out better”—could have gone a long way. Instead, Frost’s insistence on blaming others ensures that his Nebraska chapter will be remembered not for his triumphs as a player, but for his failures as a coach who couldn’t own his mistakes.
Without Nebraska, Scott Frost might be some random dude nobody knows about. The university gave him a stage, a legacy, and an opportunity to lead. By refusing to accept accountability, he risks squandering that legacy, leaving Husker fans to wonder how their golden boy turned into fool’s gold.