Even though Nebraska’s loss to Ohio State on Saturday ensured a fourth consecutive losing season to start his tenure as Cornhuskers head coach, Scott Frost will remain with the program for at least one more season.
Just two days after the Huskers’ 26-17 loss to the Buckeyes, Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts announced Monday that Frost will remain the head coach beyond this season, though his contract has been restructured – a similar move as Michigan made when it opted to keep Jim Harbaugh a year ago – after a 3-7 start to the 2020 season.
Statement from @TrevAlberts & @coach_frost. pic.twitter.com/zrM52u7Equ
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) November 8, 2021
"Scott has laid out a clear plan and vision for the future of Nebraska Football and has agreed to a restructured contract,” Alberts said. “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 salary has been reduced by $1 million; more importantly, his buyout after the 2022 season has been cut in half, an indicator that he will be coaching for his job next season.
Scott Frost's restructured contract includes a salary reduction from $5 million to $4 million. The buyout after the 2022 season drops from $15 million to $7.5 million.
— Parker Gabriel (@HuskerExtraPG) November 9, 2021
AD Trev Alberts didn't give more details, but told LJS and OWH that there are more incentives involved.
With two games to go in his fourth season as Nebraska's head coach, Frost is just 15-27 in his tenure leading the program so far. That said, the Cornhuskers have been competitive in every game they've played this season; in a schedule that’s included four teams currently ranked in the top 10 (Oklahoma, Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State), Nebraska has not lost a single game by more than nine points.
By bringing back Frost for at least one more season, the Cornhuskers are betting on Frost turning those close losses into more wins going forward, as he has yet to win more than five games in a season as Nebraska’s coach.
He’ll be doing so with a new offensive coaching staff, however, as the Cornhuskers fired four of their five offensive assistant coaches – offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Matt Lubick, offensive line coach Greg Austin, running backs coach Ryan Held and quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco – on Monday, effective immediately.
“I appreciate the work and sacrifices these men have made for the University of Nebraska and this football program and wish all of them well,” Frost said Monday in a statement. “They are all men of outstanding character and good coaches, but as we strive for better consistency and execution, we needed fresh ideas and voices on our offensive staff.”
