Jul 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost speaks to the media during Big 10 media days at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost is under investigation by the NCAA for improper use of analysts and consultants, The Action Network reported Wednesday.
Frost and new athletics director Trev Alberts acknowledged an investigation Wednesday without going into specifics.
The allegations are that Frost used Jonathan Rutledge, senior special teams analyst, to conduct special teams drills during practices, despite Rutledge not being one of Nebraska’s 10 full-time on-field assistant coaches, per the report. Analysts and consultants may only communicate with Frost and the coaching staff, not players, per NCAA rules.
Nebraska has significant video evidence of Rutledge interacting with players during practice in front of Frost and other assistants, per the report.
“The University of Nebraska Athletic Department has been working collaboratively with the NCAA to review a matter concerning our football program,” Alberts said. “We appreciate the dialogue we have had with the NCAA and cannot comment further on specifics of this matter.”
Rutledge and Frost’s chief of staff Gerrod Lambrecht both left the program in the past eight months. Rutledge was fired Jan. 14, 2021, ostensibly for poor special teams play. Frost announced Lambrecht’s departure earlier this month, saying he was pursuing another opportunity.
The NCAA is also investigating Nebraska for holding unauthorized off-campus organized workouts under the supervision of the Cornhuskers’ strength and conditioning staff last year during the coronavirus pandemic, per the report. Lambrecht is linked to those activities, per the report.
The NCAA has interviewed Frost, assistant coaches, staff and players, and Frost has obtained legal counsel, per the report.
Frost, 46, could be suspended a certain number of games, among other punishment, pending the results of the NCAA’s probe.
A former star quarterback at Nebraska (1996-97), Frost is 12-20 at his alma mater entering his fourth season.
Alberts took over as athletic director last month and said he first learned of the probe after he started.
–Field Level Media