"Do not Take the Wrong Job," says Scott Frost, who shares his regrets about Nebraska.

On the sidelines of UCF, the institution he once guided to an unbeaten, highly publicized season, Scott Frost is back where he feels most like himself. However, the former Nebraska coach revealed the details of one of college football's most well-known flameouts this week during Big 12 Media Days, along with the lessons it taught him about pressure, loyalty, and the value of fit.

Frost did not hold back when asked what he had learned while attending Nebraska.

He said frankly, "Do not choose the wrong job," as Chris Vannini of The Athletic recorded.

A coach who was once regarded as one of the game's most attractive names has made this sobering statement. 

Frost was at the top of the world back in 2017. Powerhouse programs nationwide were vying for his services after he led UCF to a flawless 13–0 season. However, Frost accepted when his alma mater, Nebraska, called. Not because it fits properly. Not because it promised joy. But because, in his own words, a sense of obligation "tugged" him there.

Frost thought back, "I stated I would not leave (UCF) unless it was someplace you could win a national title." Even though I did not particularly want to, I felt pressured to try to support my alma mater. It was a poor decision. 

I am fortunate to have returned to a place where I was much happier.

That pull became a storm. Frost suffered greatly during his more than four seasons at Lincoln, finishing with a 16–31 record. Three games into the 2022 season, he was fired.

It is simple to write those years off as a coaching failure. However, Frost sees a deeper meaning in the story—one that is more akin to tragedy than failure. He took more than one job. He made an effort to leave a legacy. tried using only perseverance and good intentions to fix a malfunctioning program. Ultimately, however, there was a mismatch in timing, expectations, and culture.

Frost seems to have come full circle now that he is back at UCF, where the fit is natural and the mood is electrifying. He is older, possibly wiser, and undoubtedly more introspective. His recent remarks convey the quiet understanding that not every homecoming is celebrated rather than resentment.

Frost stated in a June interview with Sports Illustrated that he anticipated being in the NFL for some time to come. He had time to reflect and recover while working as a senior analyst for the Los Angeles Rams last season. The pull, however, felt different when UCF reopened its doors. Alignment is more important than responsibility.

The main lesson? Pursuing your ideal career can occasionally turn into a nightmare, particularly if it is based on unrealistic expectations and outdated allegiances. Young coaches and truly anyone in any industry can learn from Frost's story:

It does not necessarily follow that a job is the proper one just because it seems wonderful on paper or evokes fond memories.

That level of insight is uncommon in the highly charged, high-stakes world of college football. Frost has had to work for it.