LINCOLN, Neb. — Eric Kapitulik vacationed in Africa with Scott Frost. They hiked the Grand Canyon from rim to rim. They’ve talked about next climbing California’s Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States.



A former special operations and infantry officer in the U.S. Marines, ultramarathoner and triathlete, Kapitulik met Frost nine years ago at Oregon when the ex-Nebraska quarterback coached wide receivers for Chip Kelly.



“Zebras hang out with zebras, and lions hang out with lions,” Kapitulik said, explaining his connection to Frost, now Nebraska’s head coach.



They formed a tight bond and have worked together in every offseason since 2010 as Kapitulik expanded his company. The Program LLC, a leadership development and team-building service, works with some 160 college and pro sports teams and corporations.



Nebraska football is among about a dozen FBS clients. The Program spent June 17-18 in...