But the largest reason for that signing, despite getting another two years on his current deal, is that Frost's $26 million buyout was negotiated down to just $5 million through 2024 and drops to $2.5 million in 2025-2026.
Before, firing Frost would trigger a $26 million buyout. That's just not feasible for an athletic department to pay and then hire another marquee head coach to replace him.
To make a decision like that, Frost's hot seat would have to be scorching. While he was flying close to the sun, Frost would have at least another season in 2021 to show he can turn around the program.
But if it's $5 million, that decision became a lot more plausible. Compared to other coaches around the nation, that's a reasonable number for an athletic department like Nebraska to eat.