Boy did my ears perk up when I heard the news that Nebraska had contacted former National Championship winning QB and current assistant coach for the National runners up, Oregon Ducks.
Speculation has been running rampant around Lincoln after Bo Pelini and 3 of his (former?) assistants weren’t in attendance at the formal Nebraska recruiting dinner. The 3 coaches were Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson, WR Coach Ted Gilmore, and Secondary coach Marvin Sanders.
Pelini has since confirmed that Sanders has resigned from his position. The other two coaches came under much scrutiny due to the lack of production from the offense down the stretch of the past two seasons.
Enter the Scott Frost rumors.
Frost has coached Wide Receivers the past two years in Eugene, but has proven versatile in his coaching career as well as his playing career. After finishing his QB career at Nebraska with a National Championship Game victory, Frost was drafted in the 3rd round by the Jets to play Defensive Back. He bounced around the league from New York to Cleveland to Green Bay and finally to Tampa Bay, but never really blossomed beyond special teams play.
Frost began his coaching career at Nebraska as a graduate assistant, but only lasted one year. After spending one year at Kansas St, he went to Northern Iowa as Linebackers coach and eventually as Defensive Coordinator. After that, it was on to Eugene to coach Wide Receivers.
So we’re talking about a coach with experience playing quarterback and defensive back and experience coaching linebackers and wide receivers. Oh yea, and he’s sort of a hometown hero around town, born in Woods River, Nebraska.
The idea of Frost joining the Huskers staff has got me feeling giddy. He was one of the toughest players I’ve ever watched play the game (he took a lot of flak for that Arizona St. loss). The way he responded to that criticism is just one of the reasons he ranks so highly on my favorite athletes of all time list.
But, beyond my personal satisfaction, would Frost be a good hire for Nebraska? And what position would he be considered for?
I would be perfectly happy hiring anybody from the offensive staff Oregon, given the explosive overdrive offense they deployed this year. Nebraska has been trying to run a similar offense (and I believe even studied the Oregon offense in the offseason) but haven’t come close to matching the Ducks’ results. Any influence Frost could bring over from such a successful offense could have a productive impact on a Nebraska offense that is in need of an adrenaline shot.
With potential vacancies at Wide Receivers coach and Offensive Coordinator, Frost seems like a natural fit in Lincoln. If the idea of returning home to accept the same position at Nebraska doesn’t entice him, then I would just offer him the Offensive Coordinator job.
Successful coaches have been getting progressively younger through the years (in both College and the NFL). The game is changing, and youthful energy is now sought after all over the country.
This move makes too much sense for it not too happen. And you won’t find a bigger fan of this move.
Please, please, please! Hire Scott Frost!