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Three takeaways on Frost's early coaching staff moves

Here are three takeaways from the early coaching staff hires announced by Nebraska head coach Scott Frost on Monday.

A strong UCF Flavor 

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It shouldn't come as a huge surprise, as most of us knew Saturday evening a good chunk of Scott Frost's Central Florida staff would be following him to Lincoln.

When you count Barrett Ruud, eight of UCF's top 10 coaches will be at NU in 2018, leaving two spots open. Knights strength coach Zach Duval is also expected to join Frost.

What Frost is doing is more the norm in college football these days, as it's hard to build a new staff that's never worked with one another and have success right away. It's clear he also believes in this group, and they have played a big part in Central Florida going 12-0 in 2017.

Huskers showing strong financial commitment 

When you break down the early salary numbers, it shows NU is fully finically committed to operating this thing like a top 10 national budget.

When NU receives their full share of Big Ten revenue, they will rank right around the top 10 overall in total revenue, and they remain just one of only a handful of schools that do not receive any state subsidies, and they give back millions per year to academics.

New Nebraska staff salary breakdown
Coach 2018 NU Salary 2017 UCF Salary  2017 NU Coach

Erik Chinander

Defensive coordinator

$800,000

$425,000

(+88%)

$825,000

(Bob Diaco)

Greg Austin

Offensive line

$475,000

$275,000

(+73%)

$450,000

(Mike Cavanaugh)

Mike Dawson

Defensive line

$475,000

$130,000

(+265%)

$297,025

(John Parrella)

Jovan DeWitt

OLB/Special teams

$475,000

$230,000

(+106%)

$400,000

(Trent Bray)

Mario Verduzco

Quarterbacks

$350,000

$200,00

(+75%)

N/A

Ryan Held

Running backs

$300,000

$140,000

(+115%)

$350,000

(Reggie Davis)

Travis Fisher

Defensive backs

$300,000

$140,000

(+115%)

$400,000

(Donte Williams)

Who will join Barrett Ruud to fill the other two full-time spots? 

Nebraska announced seven full-time coaches on Monday, which means they have three spots remaining once the NCAA brings in the 10th assistant on Jan. 6.

Former Husker and NFL linebacker Barrett Ruud is set to be that guy, but he won't carry the full-time tag until after Central Florida's done in the Peach Bowl.

The two remaining spots appear to be on offense, as the defense has five coaches with Ruud. NU still needs to hire an offensive coordinator, receivers and tight ends coach with the last two spots.

Washington's Matt Lubick continues to be the leading name to watch as a potential offensive coordinator candidate. However, head coach Scott Frost operates as the play-caller on game days. Lubick worked with Frost at Oregon and took over as the Ducks offensive coordinator in 2016.

It also seems more and more likely that nobody from Mike Riley's 2017 coaching staff will be retained by Frost.

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