John Cook’s retirement from Nebraska volleyball was perfectly handled

The legendary career of Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook came to an end on Wednesday night after he announced his retirement from the program he led as the head coach for 25 seasons and to 722 wins.

What a ride it's been.

Thank you and farewell, @jcook2. pic.twitter.com/B4VdLrJ8hE

— Nebraska Volleyball (@HuskerVB) January 29, 2025

It was an incredible run that included four national championships with the last one coming in 2017. Nebraska volleyball also won 15 conference championships, including Co-Big Ten championships in each of the past two seasons.

Nebraska volleyball has made back-to-back trips to the Final Four. The Huskers were also the national runner-up in 2021 and 2023.

The retirement of Cook came as a surprise but the Nebraska volleyball head coach was obviously working on things behind the scenes. Dani Busboom Kelly was announced, a former Husker player and the head coach at Louisville, shortly after Cook’s retirement became public.

A Husker homecoming for DBK.

Introducing the 4th Head Coach of Nebraska Volleyball, Dani Busboom Kelly. pic.twitter.com/IIWtL7C2k3

— Nebraska Volleyball (@HuskerVB) January 29, 2025

Both head coaches talked to their players at the same time and the former Husker standout was named the fourth head coach of the Nebraska volleyball program.

The perfect transition for Nebraska

Busboom Kelly complied a 202-44 record (.822 winning percentage) with Louisville and has led the Cardinals to the national championship match in two of the past three seasons.

In terms of replacement, Nebraska couldn’t have done better. Busboom Kelly is an alum. She’s from the state of Nebraska and she’s proven she can win at an elite level.

One of the biggest question marks moving forward will be the roster. However, Harper Murray already commented on an Instagram post that she’s “not going anywhere.” Cook’s assistants, outside of Jordan Larson, who announced she was leaving the program to focus on her playing career, will be back.

That should help with player retention. Even without Cook, Nebraska is the premier volleyball program in the country. The fan support — the consistent winning — all of that separates Nebraska and that’s why I don’t see players leaving.

Losing a legend is never easy. But replacing Cook with one of the best head coaches in the country is just about as good as it gets. Busboom Kelly checks every box and Cook is her mentor.

It was Cook’s final act as Nebraska volleyball head coach and like so many other moves he made, it worked out perfectly.

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