Full Breakdown
Bill Moos Reveals Controversial Coaching Decisions in Nebraska Memoir
2/11/2026, 8:14:13 PM
Moos' Coaching Preferences and Challenges
In his recently published memoir, "Crab Creek Chronicles: From the Wheat Fields to the Ball Fields and Beyond," former Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos disclosed that Scott Frost was not his initial choice for the Cornhuskers' head football coach in 2017. Instead, Moos had prioritized Chip Kelly and Dana Altman for the position. Moos recounted a meeting with Kelly, where he felt optimistic about the prospect of hiring the former Oregon coach, only to face resistance from university officials. Moos noted that a prominent regent and a significant donor expressed strong objections to pursuing Kelly, leading to his eventual hiring at UCLA.
Despite the lack of enthusiasm from his superiors regarding Kelly, Moos felt pressured to hire Frost due to public sentiment. Frost, a Nebraska native and former quarterback for the Huskers, was widely supported by fans and media. Moos described a pivotal meeting with Frost, where he was accompanied by his wife, Kendra, who assessed Frost as "too immature" for the role. Nevertheless, Moos felt compelled to proceed with the hire, fearing that failing to do so would result in Frost succeeding elsewhere, particularly at schools like Tennessee or Florida.
The Fallout from Frost's Tenure
Frost's tenure at Nebraska proved disappointing, culminating in a record of 16-31 before he was dismissed early in the 2022 season. Moos' successor, Trev Alberts, made the decision to part ways with Frost, who subsequently returned to UCF. Moos reflected on the challenges he faced during his time at Nebraska, including a meeting with university officials regarding allegations of inappropriate behavior, which led to an evaluation for alcohol addiction. Moos was ultimately cleared of any addiction issues after a four-day assessment at the Betty Ford Center.
Nebraska's Conference Considerations
In addition to coaching decisions, Moos revealed that he explored the possibility of Nebraska returning to the Big 12 Conference, which it had left in 2011 to join the Big Ten. He cited fan frustrations over long travel distances for games as a significant factor in considering a return. Moos met with then-Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, who expressed interest in Nebraska's potential return. However, resistance from university leadership, including Chancellor Ronnie Green and regents, ultimately stymied these discussions.
Official Statements & Responses
While Moos has shared his insights through his memoir, Scott Frost declined to comment on the revelations. Moos emphasized the importance of his decisions during his tenure and the pressures he faced from both fans and university officials.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Moos' decision to hire Frost argue that it was a miscalculation that ultimately harmed the Nebraska football program. Moos himself acknowledged the risks involved in hiring a local hero who ultimately did not meet expectations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “But if I don’t pursue him with everything I’ve got and he ends up at Tennessee or Florida, I’m screwed,’ Moos said.” — Bill Moos, former Nebraska Athletic Director
- “‘Yeah, but if you bring Nebraska’s golden boy home and he falls flat on his face, you are really screwed.” — Kendra Moos, Bill Moos' wife
The revelations in Moos' memoir provide a candid look at the complexities of athletic administration and the pressures that influence coaching decisions in college sports.
