Inside the Controversies: Bill Moos' Nebraska Athletic Director Journey
Former Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos revealed in his recently published book that Scott Frost was not his top choice for the Cornhuskers' head coach in 2017. Moos also shared details about being asked to undergo an evaluation for alcoholism and exploring the idea of Nebraska leaving the Big Ten to return to the Big 12. During his tenure at Nebraska, Moos faced challenges and controversies that ultimately led to his retirement in June 2021.
Despite being credited for hiring Frost and men's basketball coach Fred Hoiberg, Moos admitted that his initial coaching targets were Chip Kelly and Dana Altman. However, his pursuit of Kelly was met with resistance from university officials, leading to Kelly's appointment at UCLA. The overwhelming support from fans and media for Frost eventually led Moos to hire him as the head coach, despite initial reservations about Frost's maturity and readiness for the role.
Throughout Frost's tenure at Nebraska, Moos faced various challenges, including allegations of inappropriate behavior and pressure to address his alcohol consumption. Despite undergoing an evaluation at the Betty Ford Center, Moos was found not to have an addiction. Additionally, Moos explored the possibility of Nebraska returning to the Big 12, citing a sense of disconnect with the Big Ten and a desire to align with schools in the Big 8 conference.
While Moos considered the potential benefits of a return to the Big 12, university officials, including chancellor Ronnie Green and regent Jim Pillen, expressed strong opposition to the idea. Despite his efforts to explore different coaching options and conference affiliations, Moos ultimately faced pushback and challenges that contributed to his decision to retire from his role as Nebraska's athletic director.