Scott Frost returns as UCF head football coach on 5-year deal - ESPN

UCF hired Scott Frost as its head football coach on Saturday, reaching agreement on a five-year contract through the 2029 season.

The move reunites the Knights with one of their most successful coaches in program history.

Frost led UCF from 2016 to 2017 and led a remarkable turnaround in his second year, guiding the Knights to a perfect 13-0 season and a No. 6 finish in the Associated Press poll. Frost earned national coach of the year honors for that achievement and went 19-7 in his two seasons before leaving to take over Nebraska, his alma mater, in 2018.

«Today marks an exciting reunion for UCF Football as we welcome back Scott Frost, a coach who ignites the spirit and passion of Knight Nation,» athletic director Terry Mohajir said in a statement. «Scott's love for his players along with his leadership, enthusiasm and vision were pivotal in making the decision to bring him back to UCF. Throughout this national search, his passion for UCF was clear. I believe no one wanted to lead our program more than Scott.»

Frost, 49, joined the Los Angeles Rams' coaching staff in September and has not coached at the college level since he was fired by Nebraska during the 2022 season.

The UCF job opened on Nov. 30 when Gus Malzahn resigned to become the offensive coordinator at Florida State under coach Mike Norvell, who had previously worked for Malzahn as a graduate assistant at Tulsa in 2007 and '08.

Malzahn went 28-24 in four seasons in Orlando while guiding the program through its transition to Power 4 football from the AAC to the Big 12 in 2023.

The Knights have finished 6-7 and 4-8 in their first two seasons in their new conference and are seeking a spark from a head coach who turned the program into an offensive powerhouse