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Nebraska's AD openly names one candidate in head coaching search

Will Nebraska land its top coaching candidate this offseason?

Former Nebraska quarterback and current UCF head coach Scott Frost has long been speculated to be the Cornhuskers' top head coaching target for next season, even before former coach Mike Riley's termination on Saturday.

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Naturally, talk of a potential homecoming heated up after the university's decision to officially part ways with Riley.

Athletic director Bill Moos confirmed Nebraska's interest in Frost during his press conference on Saturday afternoon, but acknowledged that he would be "very sensitive" to UCF as it prepares for the AAC Championship Game next Saturday.

"Scott is someone that I am considering, but I'm being very sensitive to the fact that he's still coaching a team and he's having a heck of a run," Moos said. "I've never said I was going after Scott Frost. A lot of other people have, I can let you read my emails sometime that I should be going after Scott Frost. But you know what? That's a tribute to Nebraskans. He's one of ours, played for us and has gone on and paid his dues. He's got a good job that I believe he really likes but he's got a lot of interest in him right now."

Earlier this month, ESPN's Adam Rittenberg reported that Nebraska had notified UCF of its interest in pursuing Frost to replace Riley next season.

The coach played on the Cornhuskers' last national championship team in 1997 and has recently gained national attention for leading an impressive turnaround at UCF.

After inheriting a winless team, Frost led the Knights to a bowl game during his first season and currently holds a 11-0 record in 2017.

While UCF is enjoying that run now, it likely means the coach will have his pick of numerous coaching vacancies at bigger programs. Frost has already been linked to several other potential jobs leading up to the offseason, including Florida, although returning to his alma mater could be more enticing.