For now it's just a rumor, but Duck fans would hate to see Coach Frost go. He is a great sideline presence, an adept recruiter, a dynamic young coach with a bright future and a knack for connecting with players. He has NFL credentials and a personal history of winning and achievement, including the 1997 National Championship as a Nebraska quarterback.
Nebraska born and bred, Frost would be a valuable connection to the proud Cornhusker tradition of the past, the star qb on Tom Osborne's last national championship team who once threw 155 straight passes without an interception. Youthful, energetic, intelligent, and driven, the 35-year-old assistant will make a fine head coach or coordinator. The Huskers might start him on that road, and it's easy to see why they'd want him.
The real surprise here isn't that Bo Pellini would consider bringing him in, seeking to shake up his staff after a mediocre season marked by sideline tirades and a disappointing blowout loss to Washington in the Holiday bowl. Always good to shift the focus after limping to a 10-4 finish.
The surprise is that Oregon's staff has maintained such wonderful continuity over the last twenty five years. Just three head coaches, and a core of great assistants with deep roots in the program and resumes that justify their tenure. It's amazing more schools haven't looked to raid a staff that recruits and evaluates supremely well, and teaches and coaches even better. Steve Greatwood, John Neal, Scott Frost and the rest could compete anywhere and lead as well as anyone (Pellum, Campbell and Aliotti have done an equally marvelous job, but it's hard to think they'd be tempted to move on after what they've built here in all their years of service.)
One thing is certain, after the speed, talent and ability the Ducks have brought here over the last few years, it will be fun to coach in the next few. Josh Huff, Devon Blackmon, BJ Kelly, Tacoi Sumler, Rahsaan Vaughn and Colt Lyerla are quite an incentive to stay.
Have to wonder also where Oregon might look if Frost elects to leave. We'd miss him, but change and advancement are an integral part of the coaching profession, particularly for a young coach of Frost's caliber.
It's vital that the coach who takes his place adopts the "no block, no rock" philosophy that he instilled here. It's done a lot to make the Oregon offense even more dynamic, as the kids have learned that any play can be a big play if everyone executes their assignments properly. Especially when you consider the blur-worthy talents they have carrying the rock, throwing it and nabbing it downfield.
Here's a thought .. Aliotti is getting a little long in the tooth (late 50's, I think). Could Frost be persuaded to accept a DC-in-waiting role to keep him at UO? Immediate salary raise and a shift to the defensive staff. Also, I think his strength in recruiting would be something CK wants to keep in Oregon. And having Frost close the deal with defensive tackles might yield a few more for the future.
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ReplyDeleteAgree that Frost would make a great defensive coordinator. He'd bring energy and aggressiveness, plus six years experience as a NFL safety. His experience on the other side of the ball as a Golden Arm Finalist quarterback provides him a powerful base of understanding of what offenses try to do.
If life teaches us anything, it is not to fear change or the future. The timing might be right for Frost to accept a new opportunity at Nebraska, and if he does, Duck fans can only wish him well. Not sure if a "coordinator-in-waiting" offer is enough to keep him here. Part of the risk of hiring talented people is that some of them will grow and start their own branch of the Chip Kelly coaching tree.
All of the Duck coaches are great closers, and they can have all the coffee they want.
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Dale