Flanked by a pair of Husker football helmets, in front of a red backdrop punctuated by white Ns, Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos called Scott Frost's introductory press conference a "celebration."
"It's a celebration for the University of Nebraska and for Husker football. Certainly a celebration of bringing one of our own home, a favorite son."
Frost proved to be the perfect guest of honor, striking the tone most Husker fans hoped he would, one that was long on humility but brimming with a confidence forged through familiarity and results.
"I think this state is hungry for unity," Frost said. "When I was here under Coach Osborne there was unity of purpose, unity of belief, unity of understanding and unity of support for this program, what it stood for and what it was accomplishing. This program needs that again, this state needs that again.
"We can get this entire state behind this football program, get this entire state pulling for these players, get this entire state excited about what’s going on. We’re going to put a product on the field this state can be proud of."
As Nebraska football has fallen from the ranks of national elite in recent years, there have been plenty of pundits who have wondered aloud if such a reclamation is possible in Lincoln given how the game has changed.
Frost said he believes it is while acknowledging that what worked in the past is only part of what it will take to restore Nebraska in the future.
"It’s going to take a lot of hard work. It’s going to take a lot of dedication from a lot of people, but there’s a formula that worked here for a long time," he said. "Times have changed a little, but some of those same things are what’s going to make this work again. And that’s a lot of good people that care about this place working really hard. It’s toughness, it’s dedication, it’s work ethic. That’s what Nebraska is, that’s what the people of Nebraska are and that’s what this place is going to stand for while I’m here."
We'll have much more from Frost's press conference at Hail Varsity throughout the day.
Brandon is the Managing Editor for Hail Varsity and has covered Nebraska athletics for the magazine and web since 2012, Hail Varsity’s first season on the scene. His sports writing has also been featured by Fox Sports, The Guardian and CBS Sports.
