Three Perspectives on John Cook’s Retirement and Dani Busboom Kelly’s Appointment

Three Perspectives on John Cook’s Retirement and Dani Busboom Kelly’s Appointment

The announcement of John Cook’s retirement, followed closely by the hiring of Dani Busboom Kelly, sent shockwaves through the volleyball community on Wednesday. Here are three takes on the news and what it means for the future.

1. John Cook’s Unmatched Impact on Volleyball and Women’s Sports
When reflecting on John Cook’s influence, not only on volleyball but on women’s athletics as a whole, it’s hard to argue that anyone has made a more profound impact on the sport than he has.

Cook’s 25 years at Nebraska are nothing short of extraordinary. He transformed the Nebraska volleyball program from playing in the modest 4,000-seat NU Coliseum to filling every venue it entered, including Memorial Stadium.

In addition to four national championships, Cook leaves behind a world record: 92,003 fans filled Memorial Stadium to watch his team play in 2023. He also set attendance records at nearly every away venue and delivered the highest TV ratings in the sport’s history.

Under his leadership, Nebraska volleyball became more than just a team—it became a global brand that captivated audiences far and wide. Cook’s influence has helped elevate high school volleyball in Nebraska to unprecedented levels, and contributed to the formation of two professional teams in Omaha that now regularly fill their arenas. Many would argue that all of this stems from Cook’s legacy in the sport.

2. Cook’s 2021 Hint at Retirement by 2025
While John Cook’s retirement wasn’t a complete surprise, he did hint in 2021 that this day might come by 2025. At the time, he made a promise to the incoming freshman class, led by All-American Lexi Rodriguez, that he would be with Nebraska for the entirety of their college careers.

This statement was a significant commitment, and in retrospect, it was clear Cook envisioned a few more years with the team. That 2021 class, especially Rodriguez, played a pivotal role in the final chapter of Cook’s tenure. Though they fell short of winning a national title, Rodriguez’s impact and popularity rivaled that of any player in the program’s history. Cook honored his promise to the 2021 class, and will now retire alongside them.

3. Dani Busboom Kelly as the Perfect Successor
Dani Busboom Kelly’s promotion to head coach seems almost destined to happen. A true Husker through and through, she grew up in Cortland and helped lead Nebraska to a national championship. Later, she married former Nebraska football player Lane Kelly and embarked on her coaching career.

She first gained coaching experience as an assistant at both Nebraska and Tennessee, before taking the helm at Louisville. At Louisville, Busboom Kelly applied the Nebraska volleyball playbook to turn the Cardinals into a national powerhouse.

Those close to her knew this day would come—it wasn’t a question of if, but when. The transition between Cook and Busboom Kelly couldn’t have been smoother, and she signed a six-year contract with Nebraska to solidify her future with the program.

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