Scott Frost talks return to UCF, quarterback battle, Big 12 outlook and more
UCF head coach Scott Frost took center stage at Big 12 Media Day on Tuesday, speaking live from The Star in Frisco, Texas – the Dallas Cowboys’ world headquarters. Appearing on ESPNU alongside hosts Matt Barrie, Greg McElroy and Brock Osweiler, Frost discussed his return to Orlando, the direction of the program, and the challenges and opportunities that come with competing in the Big 12.
Scott Frost Returns to UCF: ‘It Was Like Going Back Home’
Leading off, Frost said his return to UCF was like going back home.
“It’s been great,” Frost said. “My wife and I had our first child there. We loved it there for two years. Obviously took a detour then, but it was a pretty easy decision when they offered the job again to go back home. It’s place we feel like is home and people that have treated us so well and are continuing to do so. I’m excited to try to help UCF get back where it should be.”
Frost Reflects on UCF Interview and Decision to Come Back
Frost looked back on the whirlwind interview process last December.
“I was actually in LA with the Rams and flew down to Dallas here to meet with the guys from UCF,” Frost said. “I think it was that interview, and just kind of seeing Terry Mohajir, our AD, and the other people surrounding the program and their vision for what they wanted, and knowing how good a place it had been to me the first time, and how easy it is to recruit there with the talent around and how beautiful our campus and city are, I was excited to try to help them kind of recapture their position in college football.”
UCF’s Move to the Big 12 and Embracing the Power Four Landscape
Obviously, a lot has changed since Frost’s first stint at UCF. Most notably, moving up from the American and into the Power Four as a member of the Big 12.
“UCF has unique growth potential and it’s changed since I’ve been there,” Frost said. “It’s such a new school, but it’s such a big student body that the alumni base will continue to grow, the support will continue to grow. I’m excited to be a part of that ride again.
“College football has changed too. I had to learn on the fly with all this new revshare and NIL and everything going on. And I think we did a good job putting together not just a talented group of kids, but a high character group of guys. I’m excited to get to work with them.”
Lessons Learned from Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams
Frost has often spoke highly of his time with the Rams and praised head coach Sean McVay, a sentiment he shared with the ESPN crew.
“I think the biggest thing (I picked up from McVay) is just the tremendously talented people he surrounded himself with,” Frost said. “From top to bottom, everybody in that building is awesome to be around and pulls the rope in the same direction. Sean is unbelievable. He knows every assignment that every player on the field has offense and defense and he’s able to help everyone.
“We started out slow last year when I was a part of it and he did a great job of staying even keel so that nobody panicked and they got back on track. And it was a great experience for me and I’m grateful that those guys gave me a chance to do it.”
Frost Plans to Recruit Florida Talent and Welcome Transfers Home
Shifting back to UCF talk, Frost spoke about the tremendous talent base in Florida they’ll be able to pull from, both in high school recruiting or transfers wishing to come back home.
“We’re gonna focus not just on transfers but on local homegrown kids too the first time around,” Frost said. “But you’re right, on top of a lot of other things, the transfer portal seems to be a giant mechanism to get kids back closer to home. And we got calls from a lot of kids that had gone off and hadn’t done well that wanted to come back closer to home and play football.
“So we’ll welcome those kids back with open arms. Obviously it’s a negotiation for every player on your team now, so that plays into it. But in general, Florida kids wanna be back in Florida and if they’re the right ones, we’d love to have them back.”
UCF Quarterback Battle Will Continue Into Fall Camp
UCF left spring with an open quarterback competition between Jacurri Brown, Cam Fancher and Tayven Jackson. That battle will continue into preseason camp.
“In spring, we saw a lot from all three of them that would lead us to believe they can be successful,” Frost said. “I’ll tell you the truth. I would go into the season with any one of the three and feel good that they can go win us games.
“I just haven’t seen any separation yet. So I’m anxious for somebody to really take that next step forward and take the lead. We’re not just gonna anoint anyone. It’s gotta be earned. And however long that takes, that’s how long it takes to figure it out. But the sooner it kind of reveals itself, I think the better we’ll be for continuity and reps.”
Building a New-Look Roster with 68 Additions in the Portal Era
Asked about the construction of a roster in the age of the transfer portal, Frost said they have 68 new players.
“I don’t know if we’re leading the country in that, but, taking all those guys and making them a team is gonna be a challenge,” Frost said. “I did spend a lot of time with the (NFL) front office guys and seeing how they evaluated in those things. You know, the difference is right now, we don’t know if there’s an actual salary cap in college football or not. I think that’s what they’re intending. I’m rooting for it. I hope it happens.
“I think it’ll make college football a better game, but TBD, if they’re gonna actually make that happen and people are gonna stick to that. And, you know, when one team has a cap and the other doesn’t, that gets a little hard and the evaluation gets more difficult. But we’ll see where all this lands. I know smart people are working to try to make this a better situation.”
Frost Says Big 12 is Wide Open
The panel briefly reviewed UCF’s schedule, which includes a non-conference date with North Carolina, Big 12 home games vs. Kansas, West Virginia, Houston and Oklahoma State, and road games at Kansas State, Cincinnati, Baylor, Texas Tech and BYU.
“You know, I’ve been watching the league from afar for a couple of years and what I love about the league is it’s fair and it’s balanced,” Frost said. “You can make an argument, any team in this league could win this league if they put it together and play well. And I don’t think that’s the case in every league. Excited to be in it.”
Frost to Face Former Coach Belichick in UCF vs. UNC Matchup
As for the UNC game on Sept. 20, Frost will match wits against a former coach of his.
“I played for Bill (Belichick) for two years with the New York Jets when I was starting my career,” Frost said. “So I haven’t seen him in a long time, but I know how great a coach he is. We’ll have a real challenge there.”
