By Missy Grimes

ORLANDO – After an unforgettable two-year run that saw the UCF football program rise to national prominence, Scott Frost is coming back home. Known for sparking the “Charge On” spirit and guiding UCF to its first perfect season, Frost has been named the next head football coach at UCF by Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir. Frost and UCF agreed on a five-year contract through the 2029 season.

“Today marks an exciting reunion for UCF Football as we welcome back Scott Frost, a coach who ignites the spirit and passion of Knight Nation,” Mohajir said. “Scott’s love for his players along with his leadership, enthusiasm and vision were pivotal in making the decision to bring him back to UCF. Throughout this national search, his passion for UCF was clear. I believe no one wanted to lead our program more than Scott.”

Frost originally served as UCF’s head coach from 2016 to 2017, culminating in a historic 13-0 season, an AAC championship and a national championship that captured the nation’s attention. In his final game, Frost guided UCF to a victory over No. 7 Auburn in the 2018 Peach Bowl, securing the program’s first undefeated season in school history.

Frost posted the greatest two-year turnaround in college football history at UCF, inheriting a 0-12 team in 2015 and taking the Knights to a perfect season in his second and final year, when he was named the national coach of the year.

“I’m deeply honored to return to UCF, a school that has always held a special place in my heart,” Frost said. “The foundation we built here has only grown stronger, and I am thrilled to continue shaping this program’s legacy. As we prepare for year three in the Big 12 Conference, I look forward to working alongside our dedicated student-athletes, talented staff, and passionate fans to reach new heights together.”

Frost went a combined 19-7 in two seasons at UCF, helping turn an 0-12 team into a 13-0 squad in just two years. In Frost’s first season, he took the Knights to a bowl game and finished with a 6-7 record. The turnaround was historic, as Frost became the only first-year coach in FBS history to make a bowl game with a team that was winless the previous season. UCF led the nation with a six-win improvement in 2016 and exceeded that mark in 2017 as the nation’s only undefeated team. The Knights put together the first undefeated regular season in UCF and AAC history in 2017, posted the longest winning streak in school history at the time of his departure (13 games), achieved the highest in-season ranking in program history (10th), highest final ranking (6th) and set an AAC record with 16 all-conference selections.

UCF was led by its high-powered offense and improved defense under Frost. The Knights led the nation in scoring at 48.2 points per game and were the only FBS team to score at least 30 points in every game in 2017. Defensively, UCF improved its scoring defense by 65 spots in Frost’s two seasons.

In addition to being the unanimous choice as the 2017 AAC Coach of the Year, Frost was honored as the national coach of the year by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, the Touchdown Club of Columbus, the Lombardi Award and FCA in addition to winning the Home Depot, Paul “Bear” Bryant and Eddie Robinson coach-of-the-year awards.

Frost began his coaching career at Northern Iowa in 2007 as a linebackers coach and was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2008. That season, his defense excelled, tying for third in the FCS with 40 takeaways and ranking ninth in scoring defense, allowing just 17.7 points per game. The 12-3 Panthers also led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in both rushing defense (107.1 yards per game) and scoring defense.

In 2009, Frost joined the Oregon coaching staff as the wide receivers coach under head coach Chip Kelly and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich. Frost helped Oregon post a 79-14 record in his seven seasons, during which time the Ducks won four conference titles and twice played for the national championship.

Oregon never ranked lower than eighth nationally in scoring offense during Frost’s seven seasons on staff, and the Ducks led the nation in scoring in 2010. Frost was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2013, and Oregon ranked in the top five nationally in both scoring and total offense each of his three seasons calling plays. The Ducks scored 681 points in 2014, the second-highest total in NCAA history. Oregon made it to the College Football Playoff Championship Game that year, when Frost was one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, presented annually to the nation’s top assistant. Frost’s quarterback, Marcus Mariota, won the Heisman Trophy and was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

After Kelly left for the Philadelphia Eagles, Oregon promoted Mark Helfrich to head coach and named Frost offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2013. In this role, Frost guided Marcus Mariota to a Heisman Trophy win and a berth in the national championship game. During Frost’s tenure as offensive coordinator, Oregon recorded a 33–8 record and consistently ranked among the nation’s top teams in scoring and total offense. His standout performance in 2014 earned him a finalist spot for the prestigious Broyles Award, recognizing the nation’s top assistant coach.

Following his two years at UCF, Scott Frost served as the head football coach at the University of Nebraska for four-plus seasons from 2018 to 2022, coaching the first three games of the 2022 season. Frost posted a 16-31 record with the Cornhuskers. His tenure was defined by close losses, as 23 of his 31 losses were by single digits, including each of his final 13. Nebraska lost 22 one-score games during Frost’s career, including 12 games by five or fewer points.

This season, Frost has been serving as a coaching consultant for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams.

FROST CAREER COACHING ACCOLADES:

• Consensus National Coach of the Year (2017)
• AFCA Coach of the Year (2017)
• Bear Bryant Coach of the Year (2017)
• Home Depot Coach of the Year (2017)
• Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year (2017)
• FCA Coach of the Year (2017)
• AP Coach of the Year (2017)
• American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2017, Unanimous Selection)
• Broyles Award Finalist (2014)
• Led UCF to a 13-0 record in 2017, when the Knights were the nation’s only undefeated team
• Led UCF to the first perfect regular season in school and American Athletic Conference history in 2017
• Head coach of the greatest two-year turnaround in college football history (0-12 to 13-0)

COURTESY UCF ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS