Highlights from his first time as Knights coach

Nostalgia can be blinding.

And it played a role in UCF’s decision to hire Scott Frost as its next head football coach on Saturday, replacing Gus Malzahn. Frost’s name brings to mind the glory days of knights.

But what did his first mission after the news of his return really look like?

Frost spent two seasons in Orlando. He inherited an 0-12 squad and elevated it to national prominence within two years before joining his alma mater, Nebraska, as head coach in 2018.

By the time Frost coaches another game for UCF, it will have been more than seven years since the last one. It’s been almost three years since his last competition in Nebraska.

Let’s analyze his first round with the Knights as a precursor to the second round.

Scott Frost’s record at UCF in 2016: 6-7

Frost took over UCF at its lowest ebb.

During the 2015 season, in which head coach George O’Leary resigned, the Knights failed to secure a single win. They finished 0-12.

Frost was fresh from his post as offensive coordinator at Oregon. He recruited McKenzie Milton to Orlando, and the quarterback started 10 games as a true freshman. He fit in with Frost’s rushing attack and threw for 10 touchdowns and 1,983 yards.

Defensively, Shaquem Griffin broke out. The linebacker played sparingly in his first three years at UCF, but led the American Athletic Conference in sacks (11½) as a fourth-year junior. He was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.

His twin brother, defensive back Shaquill Griffin, grabbed a team-leading four interceptions.

Frost opened his tenure with a 38-0 victory over South Carolina State. After losses to Michigan and Maryland, he ended non-conference play with a win against Florida International.

The Knights were 4-4 in the AAC. They earned victories over East Carolina, UConn, Tulane and Cincinnati. They fell to Temple, Houston, Tulsa and USF.

At 6-6, UCF reached the Cure Bowl. Arkansas State prevailed 31-13.

But the foundation was laid.

Scott Frost’s record at UCF in 2017: 13-0

Yes, national championship season.

Sure, Alabama and Georgia took part in the official national championship game. Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide took the crown.

But UCF’s case: As the only undefeated team in the country, it aced its schedule, facing off against three ranked opponents. Despite not being approved by the committee, the College Football Playoff made the Peach Bowl, toppling Malzahn’s Auburn Tigers 34-27.

The Knights then won a national title. They finished the year ranked No. 6 in the AP poll and No. 1 in the Colley Matrix, one of the computer rankings used in the BCS era.

The NCAA record book recognizes UCF’s performance and signs honoring the season hang in the Bounce House.

With Milton, the AAC Offensive Player of the Year, at the helm, UCF averaged 48.2 points per game. That’s what the FBS pushed forward.

Milton managed 4,037 passing yards and 37 TDs, with eight more on the ground. Adrian Killins had the most rushing yards on the squad (790) and Tre’Quan Smith hauled in 59 receptions for 1,171 yards and 13 scores.

Earlier in the fall, the Knights defeated FIU and Maryland. This was followed by AAC victories over Memphis, Cincinnati, East Carolina and Navy.

After Austin Peay kicked his ass in late October, UCF took care of SMU, UConn and Temple.

It finished strong with three straight ranked wins: USF, Memphis in the AAC title game and Auburn in the Peach Bowl.

Nebraska hired Frost on December 2, 2017, but he remained with the Knights through the postseason.

Scott Frost record at Nebraska: 16-31

Frost’s homecoming didn’t work out. In four full seasons and part of a fifth, he went 16-31, winning more than four games only once.

His teams never made a bowl game. His best mark was 5-7 in 2019.

Frost entered the 2022 season on the hot seat. Nebraska fired him on Sept. 11, a day after losing a home game to Georgia Southern 45-42.

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