If a Power Five program truly wants a Group of Five head coach, there’s little the latter can do. That, though, isn’t stopping UCF from at least trying to stave off the inevitable.
Mike Riley could very well be on the hot seat at Nebraska, leading to speculation, especially with a new athletic director, that he could be three-and-done in Lincoln. While some chatter on any potential replacement has involved a pirate, a favorite son has significant support amongst the fan base if a change is made.
Not only is Scott Frost a former Nebraska quarterback, but, as the head coach at UCF, he has the Knights ranked 20th nationally with a 5-0 start. And that’s coming off a six-win first season for Frost with a program that was winless the year before he arrived.
The pedigree as both a player and young head coach would make him a natural fit at a place like Nebraska, which explains why Frost’s current employer announced Tuesday an initiative to “secure commitments of over $1.5 million annually for the next five years” for the football program. Specifically, any money raised would largely be used to enhance coaching salaries, both for the head coach and his assistants.
Called the UCF Football Excellence Fund, the program is “pursuing gift commitments ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 annually to further enhance the program’s operating resources.” Frost himself has already committed his own money to the fund.
“I’m very excited about the success we’ve had in our time here and I’m committed to helping this program continue growing,” Frost said. “I’m happy to be part of the UCF Football Excellence Fund. We need more resources to keep taking this program where we want it to go. I’m hopeful my support will be a catalyst for others to jump on board and take part.”
According to the USA Today‘s salary database, Frost’s $1.7 million salary in 2016 was sixth among AAC head coaches, although the top two, Houston’s Tom Herman and Cincinnati’s Tommy Tuberville, are no longer with those programs. With built-in raises, Frost will likely make in the neighborhood of $2 million for this season.
That said, we go back to what was written as the opening sentence: If a Power Five program truly wants a Group of Five head coach, there’s little the latter can do -- even if it’s not the 42-year-old Frost’s alma mater that comes calling.