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Nebraska Football: Scott Frost has as much time as he needs

By Matthew Bartlett

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: Fans of the Nebraska Cornhuskers sit behind a sign in support of coaching prospect Scott Frost (not shown) during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: Fans of the Nebraska Cornhuskers sit behind a sign in support of coaching prospect Scott Frost (not shown) during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Nebraska football has been waiting for the right man to restore their program. Scott Frost is the right guy — the Huskers need to give him time to right the ship.

Tom Osborne led an era of Nebraska football that will live forever in Huskers’ lore. He led the Big Red to 12 Big Eight titles and three national championships. His quarterback during the 1997 season, his last national championship at Nebraska, was the Huskers’ newly hired head coach Scott Frost.

A legend returning home, Frost brings an era of expectancy to Lincoln reminiscent of those glory days. Hope springs eternal, but fans and administrators need to tamper their expectations.

Nebraska hasn’t finished a season in the top 10 since 2001 under Frank Solich. Bo Pelini came close several times, but his inability to finish seasons saw him replaced for Mike Riley following the 2014 season. Riley was given three years to turn things around before he was shown the door after a 4-8 season in 2017.

It’s been nearly two decades since Nebraska was a major player on the national stage. Frost was hired to return the Huskers to that esteemed status, but it’s going to take some time.

As much as some fans might not like it admit it, Nebraska isn’t Michigan, Ohio State, Florida State or Texas.  Blue chip prospects aren’t pounding on the doors to the stadium demanding to be let in. That’s not to say the Nebraska can’t become an elite program again, but it’s a journey that doesn’t happen overnight.

Programs like Clemson, Washington, UCLA and Texas A&M all found themselves (or currently are) in similar situations. The right coach plus resources and commitment can take a program from good to great, but it takes elbow grease, elite recruiting and a little bit of luck.

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There’s not better fit for Nebraska, from a coaching perspective, than Frost. He’s a proven winner, understands the culture and tradition of the school, and he wants to be in Lincoln. It’s going to take him more than three seasons, and that’s okay. Nebraska needs to give him all the time he needs. Frost can remake Nebraska, it’ll just take five or six years, not one or two.

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