ORLANDO, Fla. – Scott Frost is expected to be named the next head coach at Nebraska, sources confirmed to ESPN Saturday.
Rumors of the 42-year-old college football coach and Nebraska native returning home have been in the works for weeks, but Frost worked to remain loyal to his undefeated Knights at the University of Central Florida through the remainder of their regular season and a win against the Memphis Tigers Saturday in the American Athletic Conference championship game.
[WATCH: Press conference]
UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Danny White announced Saturday that Frost stepped down from his position as head football coach with the Knights.
"This has truly been one of the most difficult decisions I've ever made. I'm very proud of what this group of student-athletes and coaches has accomplished during my tenure at UCF," Frost said in a statement. "The Knights should be in the conversation for the American Athletic Conference championship year in and year out."
Frost said UCF should be a Top 25 program year in and year out.
"I believe this program is well on its way to establishing that level of success," Frost said. "The next head coach at UCF is inheriting an incredible group of young men and is more fortunate than he probably knows to be working at this place."
[VIDEO: Fans react to Frost resigning]
"I would like to thank Scott and his wife, Ashley, for their contributions to UCF. There is no question Scott and his staff did an outstanding job of restoring our football program to where it should be," White said in a statement. "We have many competitive advantages here at UCF. This is a special place and I am as excited as ever about our bright future."
White said the team has been informed that Offensive Coordinator Troy Walters will serve as interim head coach.
"It is now my job to find the next leader of our football program. We will have a great deal of interest from some very good football coaches and some very good people," White said. "This is an extremely attractive job. We have a roster stockpiled with a number of wonderful, talented young men who represent UCF very well in competition, in the classroom and in the community."
White said a national search will begin immediately and expects it to be a very expeditious process.
"I am confident we'll land a coach that will help the Knights continue to build upon our success," White said.
"I can't put into words how grateful I am to my team, my coaching staff, Dr. Hitt, Danny White, the UCF administration, Knights fans, the Orlando community and everyone who have supported us," Frost said. "I truly love UCF and I'll be a Knight for life."
"It hurts," UCF student Peter Hansen said. "It's sad to see him go. I get it. He did a great job while he was here and ready to move on."
"You wish the best of luck for everybody, our team and him as a coach," UCF alumnus Larry Kiel said. "It's a little disappointing that he took the team as he did as it appears he's going to his alma mater."
Frost, who was a quarterback for the Cornhuskers when they won a share of the 1997 national championship, is expected to replace Mike Riley as the team's head coach, ESPN reported.
Riley went 4-8 this season in his third as the Cornhuskers' head coach.
After achieving a perfect regular season last Friday against the University of South Florida, the Knights beat the Tigers 62-55 in double overtime Saturday, winning their conference championship.
ESPN said a formal announcement is expected out of Lincoln soon.
This is a developing story. Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates.