Netflix is once again venturing into the world of college football with the release of “The Underdog,” a powerful new documentary exploring the rollercoaster journey of former Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost. Slated for release on April 26, 2025, the film dives deep into the highs, lows, and deeply personal moments of a coach who returned to his alma mater with the weight of a program’s past—and future—resting on his shoulders.
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Lauren Michaels (The Fall of the U, More Than a Game), The Underdog is far more than a highlight reel or a rehash of wins and losses. It’s a compelling portrait of a football figure caught between legend and legacy, navigating the unforgiving world of big-time college sports while staying true to his roots.
From Hometown Hero to Hometown Hope
Scott Frost’s story is tailor-made for documentary treatment. Born in Nebraska and raised in Wood River, Frost played quarterback for the Cornhuskers during one of the program’s golden eras, winning a national championship in 1997 under legendary coach Tom Osborne.
The documentary opens with sweeping aerial shots of Memorial Stadium, set to a quiet piano score, before cutting to grainy home footage of a young Frost tossing a football in his backyard. His journey from small-town Nebraska kid to national title-winning quarterback is recounted with reverence and insight—both through archival footage and interviews with former teammates, including Ahman Green and Grant Wistrom.
“Scott was Nebraska,” says Osborne in one interview. “Not just because he played here—but because he carried himself with the values this state holds dear: toughness, humility, and hard work.”
UCF and the Rise of a Coaching Phenom
After a brief NFL playing career and years working as an assistant coach—including a stint as offensive coordinator at Oregon under Chip Kelly—Frost took on his first head coaching role in 2016 at the University of Central Florida. It’s here that The Underdog starts to gain its emotional and narrative momentum.
The film details how Frost inherited a UCF program that had gone 0-12 the previous year and, through an aggressive rebuild and innovative offensive schemes, led them to a perfect 13-0 season in 2017. The Knights controversially claimed a national championship title, and Frost became one of the hottest names in coaching.
“That season was lightning in a bottle,” says former UCF QB McKenzie Milton in the film. “But it was more than just football—it was belief. And Scott gave us that.”
This stretch of the documentary feels like a triumph. Fast-paced game footage, wild locker room celebrations, and behind-the-scenes access make it clear why Nebraska fans were desperate for their native son to come home. But just as quickly as the documentary builds up the fairy tale, it begins to unravel.
The Return to Nebraska—and the Weight of Expectation
In December 2017, Frost accepted the head coaching job at Nebraska, returning as a prodigal son tasked with restoring glory to a once-dominant program that had struggled for over a decade. His return was met with jubilation and near-mythic expectations.
The film does not shy away from this pressure. Cameras follow Frost during his introductory press conference, where he famously said, “If we get this turned around, it’s going to be the greatest story in college football.” The Underdog then slowly walks the audience through the stark realities of trying to write that story.
Across five seasons, Frost struggled to find consistent success, finishing with a record of 16–31 in Big Ten play. The losses piled up, many of them heartbreakingly close. The documentary highlights some of the lowest points: blown fourth-quarter leads, baffling special teams errors, and a team that couldn’t seem to catch a break.
“There were moments we could taste it,” Frost says in an emotional interview. “But it kept slipping away. And after a while, you start to wonder if it’s ever coming.”
Inside the Locker Room—and the Mind
One of the most powerful elements of The Underdog is its behind-the-scenes access. Viewers are taken inside film rooms, weight training sessions, and team meetings. You see Frost mentoring players, challenging assistant coaches, and navigating the intense scrutiny of a fanbase known for its passion—and impatience.
Interviews with Nebraska players offer mixed emotions. Some describe Frost as a players’ coach, a man who cared deeply and led with integrity. Others, anonymously, suggest that the program lacked discipline and accountability during his tenure.
“Everyone wanted it to work,” says one former Cornhusker linebacker. “No one more than Scott. But sometimes, heart isn’t enough.”
The film also explores Frost’s internal battles—his reluctance to delegate, his stubbornness with offensive systems, and his quiet frustrations with media narratives that labeled him a failure.
A particularly poignant moment shows Frost walking alone through an empty Memorial Stadium after a narrow loss to Iowa. In voiceover, he admits:
“I wanted to be the hero. But heroes don’t always win. Sometimes, they just try not to break.”
Fall and Farewell
Frost was relieved of his duties in September 2022 after a stunning home loss to Georgia Southern. The film covers this moment with sensitivity and grace. There’s no sensationalism—just a raw depiction of a man coming to terms with the end of a dream.
The aftermath of his firing is handled thoughtfully, featuring interviews with former players, media analysts, and friends. His family, including his wife and parents, speak candidly about the emotional toll of the experience.
“Scott carried the weight of a whole state,” says his mother, Carol Frost, herself a former Olympian. “And when it didn’t work, he carried the blame too.”
Life After Nebraska
Unlike many sports documentaries that end in triumph or scandal, The Underdog concludes on a quieter, more introspective note. Cameras follow Frost as he spends time away from football, reconnecting with family, traveling, and even volunteering with youth programs in Nebraska.
There’s a sense that the documentary is less about redemption and more about reflection. Frost doesn’t make grand proclamations or hint at a coaching comeback. Instead, he speaks of learning, healing, and the freedom that comes from letting go of expectations.
“I don’t know what’s next,” he says in the film’s closing scene. “But I still love this game. And I still love Nebraska. That’ll never change.”
Early Reactions and What It Means
Even ahead of its release, The Underdog has sparked conversation among football fans, Husker faithful, and sports media personalities. Early screeners describe the film as “deeply human,” “heart-wrenching,” and “a sobering look at what happens when love for a place isn’t enough to save it.”
Variety called it “a moving meditation on failure, loyalty, and the brutal machinery of college football.” ESPN’s Paul Finebaum noted that, “Regardless of how you felt about Frost’s coaching, this documentary will make you see him as a man who gave everything.”
Fans online are already organizing group viewings, particularly in Nebraska, where Frost remains a polarizing but respected figure.
Final Thoughts
The Underdog is not about a championship season. It’s not a rags-to-riches story, nor is it a cautionary tale. It’s a window into the emotional complexities of a sport—and a state—that demand more than most human beings can give.
Scott Frost may not have delivered the miracle Nebraska hoped for, but in telling his story with such honesty and depth, The Underdog offers something just as valuable: perspective, grace, and the reminder that sometimes the bravest thing a leader can do is try.