So the easy candidate is Frost. He's a native son. He's got an offense that's both innovative but also quirky enough to create a kind of identity (even if the sport is working to make it less quirky). His biggest issue is a lack of winning resume. He's taken an 0-12 team and made them into a bowl team, and seems poised for another jump. Win 9-plus games and folks probably feel good about it, 8 and it's more dicy.
Sam suggested Bohl or Stitt. Bohl had been a nice program builder, and at 59, he likely has maybe one move left in him. Stitt is the CFB hipster favorite, but his Montana results have been so-so, especially considering that program's history (though stability had been an issue).
The history of Huskers hires has been interesting, a long line of flipping between archetypes. Since Tom left:
Legend's right-hand man (mostly good, but slippage)
Complete outsider aiming for a complete reset of the program (bad)
Former staffer with an eye toward the program's history on one side of the ball (Mostly good despite the weird shift from defense, 2-3 games from still being there, major-league jerk)
Not major-league jerk, nice overachiever who has dealt with some self-made turbulence
????
What the Huskers should not do is look at Ken Niumatalolo. God help them if they do. Hiring a coach who routinely outperforms his baseline metrics, not good. Going for a guy whose offense is the closest modern corollary to the offense that made Nebraska great and could be used to establish the identity that used to be a hallmark of a great program, really wouldn't fit. And you wouldn't want that in a state with predominantly small high schools, meaning the best athletes are often at quarterback and in good spots to switch to wingback or option QB (I write this, but the top passers in the state all seem like statues, so maybe a Nebraskan can correct me). You don't want a guy who installs an offense that gives opponents headaches and has a reputation as a good guy all around. And someone with experience in recruiting nationally but also working uphill on some things really doesn't fit that job. (For real, I an opposing fan do not want to see that offense anywhere in Wisconsin's division)
