John Cook and Nebraska Volleyball? That’s a classic love story that never gets old! When Cook ascended to Husker prominence in 2000, he had big shoes to fill, succeeding Terry Pettit—a coach who had built a tradition of excellence with 694 victories and 18 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. But Cook wasn’t just there to sustain greatness; he had his own vision for what Nebraska volleyball could become: even more spectacular. And oh boy, has he delivered! Cook turned his vision into reality by winning NCAA Championships in 2015 and 2017 and securing four consecutive NCAA Semifinal appearances from 2015 to 2019. Not to mention, Nebraska has been breaking attendance records every year since 2013. Now that’s what you call creating a volleyball empire!

Cook’s resume reads like a dream. Four NCAA Championships, 11 semifinal appearances, and a mind-blowing 689-100 record that makes him the winningest coach by percentage (.873) in the game. Moreover, the honors are piling up—three-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, Big Ten Coach of the Year (yep, he’s got a hat trick there too). Taking into account all the unbelievable things he did for the Huskers, it was only logical for his contract to get the much-needed raise. And Cook being Cook, he didn’t just take that extra bonus and put it in his pocket; he got something out of it!

John Cook gets something special with his bonus!

So, you might be thinking John Cook splurged on a new house, car, or maybe something volleyball-related, right? Well, turns out, you couldn’t be more wrong! Instead, the Nebraska Volleyball legend turned heads when he used part of his $70,000 retention bonus to buy a horse. Yeah, you read that right—he’s now the proud owner of a horse named “No. 415.” When the talk about his contract came up, Cook told athletic director Troy Dannen, “When Troy and I talked about my contract, I proposed that instead of an annual escalating salary that some coaches do, it would mean a great deal to me if the Nebraska Athletic Department would consider supporting me in purchasing a horse out in central Nebraska that I’ve had my eye on.”

And how did they name this new furry friend? Well, after thousands of fan submissions, Nebraska volleyball fans voted on their favorite names, and the winner was Rev, short for Revival. The Huskers dropped the name in an episode of Kicking Back with the Cooks, revealing that Rev scored a whopping 7,099 votes. Fans came up with nearly 15,000 suggestions, and while Cash, Ship, and Rip all made it to the top, it was Rev who claimed the crown. So, how did this volleyball legend get into the cowboy life?

Cook becomes a cowboy!

So, back in July, Coach John Cook found himself riding high atop his new horse, Rev, in total awe of the moment. People in downtown Burwell could hear voices shouting ‘Go Big Red!’ resonating off every building as fans, wrapped in red Husker attire, applauded him during the morning parade. Well, Cook is not new to Nebraska volleyball’s affection, but this was on another level. “It’s way bigger than I thought,” he said, completely surprised by the amount of red and the support, even in the most rural areas.

And when John Cook saw the packed grandstands, he couldn’t help but be in shock. “I’m thinking this is just a little dinky town rodeo. I had no idea. I’m blown away. Until you come out here and see this, you have no idea.” As if the parade wasn’t enough, Cook had another eye-opener at the Nebraska Big Rodeo, especially when he witnessed the wild horse races and the cowboys and cowgirls wrestling steers. But it was team roping that really stole his heart. For those unfamiliar, team roping is all about two cowboys working together to lasso and restrain a steer in the fastest time possible. And when Cook finally pulled off a perfect run with Rev? “I can’t describe the feeling that I get,” he said. “Like, yesterday, I had maybe the best in my life.”

And let’s be real — it’s a wild story of how Cook even ended up with Rev. It wasn’t love at first sight, but when he rode No. 415 for the first time, something clicked. “Roping is really hard when you’re learning and all of a sudden, it was easy,” Cook said. “This horse just did everything for me. It was like he knew what to do even though maybe I didn’t know what to do.” From there, everything just happened in the most organic fashion that one could imagine. When Cook informed Nebraska’s AD, Troy Dannen that he was not as concerned with traditional pay raises as he was with procuring this horse, Dannen did it. “I just want to get this horse,” Cook jokingly said. And that is how it was, that Rev became the part of the Cook family. But it was not only about a horse, it was about being a cowboy, something Cook has really embraced.

Whether John Cook is roping with Nebraska’s Rodeo team or practicing his skills at home, Cook’s getting deep into the world of team roping. And when you talk to those who’ve seen him in action, they’ll tell you — Cook’s got the right attitude. As his mentor, Mark Wray, said, “He’s starting to feel those pieces come together.” Cook has gone further than most by starting his own cattle company; the Cook and Son Company. In conclusion, Cook is not only the Hall of Fame volleyball coach but, he is now a cowboy and incorporates the things he learns with his coaching but with more appreciation of the ranch. And as Wray put it, “If he finds it fascinating, guess what, they might, too.” Now that’s what we call living the dream, both on and off the volleyball court.