Scott Frost: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of a Football Icon

RF Team

5 months ago

Scott Frost, a name synonymous with American football, has had a career marked by triumphs, challenges, and resilience. From his days as a national championship-winning quarterback at Nebraska to his coaching highs and lows, Frost’s journey is one of determination and passion for the game. Born on January 4, 1975, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Frost has been a player, coach, and mentor who has left an indelible mark on the sport. This article delves deep into his life story, exploring his early years, professional achievements, personal life, and the lessons learned along the way.

Key Information About Scott Frost

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Scott Andrew Frost
Nickname	None widely known
Date of Birth	January 4, 1975
Birthplace	Lincoln, Nebraska
Parents	Larry Frost (high school coach), Carol Frost (Olympic discus thrower)
Siblings	Steve Frost
Spouse	Ashley Christina Neidhardt
Children	Alli Frost, Capri Frost, James Frost
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight	218 lbs (99 kg)
Net Worth (2024)	$16 million
Education	Stanford University (1993-1994), University of Nebraska (1995-1997)
Famous For	National championship-winning QB (1997), UCF’s undefeated season (2017)

Early Life & Childhood

Scott Frost was born into a family deeply rooted in sports. His father, Larry Frost, was a high school football coach who instilled discipline and love for the game in his sons. His mother, Carol Frost, was an accomplished athlete who competed as an Olympic discus thrower in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Growing up in Wood River, Nebraska, Scott was exposed to both football and track and field from an early age.

As a high school athlete at Wood River High School from 1989 to 1993, Scott excelled as a quarterback. Over four years as a starter, he threw for 6,859 yards and 67 touchdowns while rushing for 4,278 yards and 72 touchdowns. He also led his team to multiple playoff appearances. Beyond football, Scott was a state champion in the shot put event.

Education and Collegiate Career

Scott began his college football career at Stanford University under legendary coach Bill Walsh. At Stanford (1993-1994), he played as both quarterback and safety but struggled to secure a consistent starting role. In search of greater opportunities, he transferred to the University of Nebraska in 1995.

At Nebraska under Coach Tom Osborne, Scott thrived as the starting quarterback for two seasons (1996-1997). His senior year was particularly remarkable: he led the Cornhuskers to a perfect 13-0 season and a shared national championship with Michigan in 1997. Notably, he became the first quarterback in school history to rush and pass for over 1,000 yards in a single season.

Professional Career

NFL Playing Career

Scott was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft as a safety. Over six seasons in the NFL (1998-2003), he played for teams including:

New York Jets
Cleveland Browns
Green Bay Packers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While primarily contributing on special teams and defense during his NFL career, Scott gained valuable insights into professional football that would later shape his coaching philosophy.

Coaching Career

Early Coaching Roles

Scott transitioned into coaching in 2006 with roles at Kansas State and Northern Iowa before joining Oregon’s staff in 2009. At Oregon (2009-2015), he served as wide receivers coach and later offensive coordinator. His tenure coincided with Oregon’s rise as an offensive powerhouse under quarterbacks like Marcus Mariota.

UCF: The Golden Era

Scott’s head coaching career began at UCF in 2016. After inheriting a winless team from the previous season (0-12), he orchestrated one of college football’s most remarkable turnarounds:

In just two seasons (2016-2017), UCF went from winless to undefeated.
The team finished 13-0 in 2017 with an AAC Championship and Peach Bowl victory over Auburn.
UCF claimed a national championship based on certain metrics.
Scott earned multiple Coach of the Year honors for this achievement.

Nebraska: A Challenging Return

In December 2017, Scott returned to his alma mater as head coach of Nebraska. Despite high expectations:

He posted a disappointing record of 16-31 over five seasons.
His tenure was marred by close losses and struggles against ranked opponents.
He was fired three games into the 2022 season.

Recent Developments

After spending time as an analyst for the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, Scott recently returned to UCF as head coach following Gus Malzahn’s departure.

Awards & Achievements

National Championship (Player) – Nebraska Cornhuskers (1997)
Home Depot College Coach of the Year – UCF (2017)
American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year – UCF (2017)

Chronological Timeline

1975: Born in Lincoln, Nebraska.
1989-1993: Starred at Wood River High School.
1993-1994: Played at Stanford University.
1995-1997: Transferred to Nebraska; won national championship.
1998: Drafted by New York Jets.
2006: Began coaching career at Kansas State.
2009: Joined Oregon’s coaching staff.
2016: Hired as UCF head coach.
2017: Led UCF to an undefeated season.
2018: Returned to Nebraska as head coach.
2022: Fired by Nebraska after five seasons.
2024: Rejoined UCF as head coach.

Cultural & Social Background

Scott’s upbringing emphasized discipline and athletic excellence due to his parents’ influence. His family’s ties to Nebraska football created a deep connection to his home state.

Relationships

Scott married Ashley Neidhardt in March 2016 after proposing atop Camelback Mountain in Arizona. The couple has three children: Alli, Capri, and James.

Hobbies & Interests

Outside football:

Enjoys outdoor activities like hiking.
Passionate about mentoring young athletes.

Quotes & Anecdotes

“I’ll lose it on every one of you if you approach my family.”
“UCF is one of the best college towns in Florida.”

Did You Know?

Scott’s mother competed in the Olympics.
He is one of only ten NCAA players to rush and pass for over 1,000 yards in one season.
He led UCF to its first-ever undefeated season.

Scott Frost’s story is one of resilience—a testament to navigating success and adversity while staying true to one’s roots. As he embarks on another chapter at UCF, fans eagerly await what lies ahead for this football icon.