Maybe Scott Frost wants to stay at UCF. Why would that be so crazy?
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Frost — who engineered an undefeated regular season (11-0) in his second year with the Knights — has remained mum on rumors and reports of a "done deal" that he will return to his home state and alma mater to replace Mike Riley as Nebraska head coach. He has repeatedly stated he is focused on the Knights' season and refuses to deny that he may depart Orlando for Lincoln in the coming weeks.
While Frost's tight lips mean nothing — coaches have both remained and left programs after refusing to comment on openings — is it fair to wonder if the most sought-after coach in college football might wish to remain at UCF?
Here are five reasons why that's not a crazy idea, in no particular order.
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1. Recruiting
Frost, who prior to arriving at UCF had never coached (and rarely recruited) in or anywhere near Florida, has done a remarkable job developing in-state recruiting relationships in less than two years.
His 23-man 2017 class featured 15 Florida prospects and ranked first in the AAC for the first time ever and 55th nationally (highest since 2011). And the 19-man 2018 group has 13 in-state players and ranks 47th nationally (would be the highest ranking ever) and first in the conference.
Frost and his staff have identified both low-rated prospects unwanted by in-state Power Five schools and swiped a few higher-rated prospects from bigger programs.
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2. Location
Frost is from a small town in south central Nebraska, played for the Huskers and began his coaching career there. He has family and friends in the state and has repeatedly expressed his love and appreciation for the area and university. Never overvalue the nostalgia card.
However, playing devil's advocate, in Florida he could buy a beach home, take quick weekend getaways during the season and, as mentioned above, be a short drive from a plethora of FBS-caliber recruits, among other things.
And Frost — who's changed jobs five times since 2006 — recently got married and may wish to settle down at a comfortable job instead of moving again.
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3. He Do Can Better
Sorry, Nebraska, you're not a top-tier program anymore. It's a great job but not an elite job, which Frost can get if he keeps winning at UCF.
What if Jimbo Fisher leaves for Texas A&M? Who eventually replaces Nick Saban? What if Willie Taggart doesn't work out at Oregon or he takes a different job? Or Urban Meyer hangs 'em up again?
There is, obviously, no guarantee a better job will open next year or in 2019, 2020 or later, but if Frost believes in his work at UCF, maybe he'd prefer to remain comfortable knowing other opportunities will always be there.
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4. Conference Realignment
Big 12 expansion is dead — for now. And the ACC, SEC or Big Ten aren't expanding anytime soon.
However, don't be so foolish and ignorant to believe conference realignment is dead forever. If the storm kicks up again, UCF is a prime candidate for a promotion. Tom Herman didn't want to wait out the Big 12's decision to invite Houston, but Frost and others might, especially if they're compensated well until then.
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5. Future Schedules
UCF is not in the playoff conversation because their non-conference game vs. Georgia Tech was cancelled and the AAC isn't deep enough to build up their strength of schedule.
That won't be the case in the coming years. Next year, they play two Power Five teams in North Carolina and Pittsburgh, along with Florida Atlantic. In 2019, it's FAU and Pittsburgh again, along with Stanford. In 2020, they have North Carolina and Georgia Tech thus far.
And if Mike Norvell remains at Memphis, Chad Morris stays at SMU, Charlie Strong keeps USF as a fringe top-25 team and other programs continue building, the AAC schedule might get more impressive.
