Welp, it’s official—NCAA volleyball fans might need a group hug, because the heartbreak just keeps piling up. Earlier this year, the Nebraska’s living legend John Cook, the four-time national champion, the man who has more victories in D-I than any other coach in the 21st century, announced his retirement. After 25 seasons in Lincoln and 32 seasons in total as a head coach, Cook left with a resume that is quite honestly the stuff of legends in the world of volleyball. “Dream Big,” he always told his players—and wow, did they take that to heart. Four national titles, twelve trips to the semis, and a fanbase that treated every match like the Super Bowl. And what hit home the most?

His words: “For me personally, the greatest accomplishment in coaching is seeing former players go into coaching or other careers and taking the lessons they’ve learned from being a Nebraska volleyball player and applying it to their everyday lives. There is no greater reward in coaching than that.” Talk about leaving a legacy with heart. But just when everyone was trying to recover from Cook’s emotional exit, boom—another seismic shift. Over at Creighton, their longtime coach has now made her own huge announcement, adding another wave to this changing tide in NCAA volleyball. With two major icons stepping away, the NCAA court is about to look and feel very different.

Lincoln Arneal hit up X on April 6 with some major NCAA volleyball buzz that shook the Midwest court. He reposted Creighton Volleyball’s big announcement that read, “Brian Rosen Promoted to Replace Kirsten Bernthal Booth After 22 Remarkable Years”—and then followed it up with a mic-drop of his own: “Huge news out of Omaha! Kirsten Bernthal Booth is stepping down after 22 years. She went 502–192 at Creighton & made the NCAA tournament for the past 13 years. She did a tremendous job building them into a national power. The Bluejays promote assistant Brian Rosen to head coach.” 

And honestly? That’s not just a coaching change—that’s a full-on end-of-an-era vibe. Booth didn’t just win matches, she crafted a powerhouse with grit, grace, and a whole lotta Bluejay magic. Rosen’s got some big shoes to fill, but if there’s anyone who’s been soaking in the blueprint from the sidelines, it’s him.

And according to Lincoln Arneal, the official reason is that she wants to “pursue opportunities outside of coaching,” though don’t worry—she’s not totally vanishing. She will still be in the background, spreading her fairy dust into fundraising for the program that she essentially created on her own. And Kirsten didn’t just disappear without saying anything; instead, she left a message that made all of us emotional.

“After 22 unforgettable years as the head coach of Creighton Volleyball, I am stepping down with a heart full of gratitude. It has been the honor of a lifetime to coach so many remarkable women who have not only excelled on the court but have also inspired me with their determination, character, and heart.” You could feel the love as she looked back on the players who inspired her, the colleagues who stood by her, and the wild ride they all shared.

She added, “As I step away, my love for this program and university remains unwavering. Thank you to the Creighton community, our fans, and all who have supported us through the years. While my time as head coach has come to an end, I will forever cherish the memories, relationships, and lessons that Creighton Volleyball has given me” Like, c’mon, that’s legacy-level stuff right there. But don’t get too misty-eyed, ’cause with Booth taking a bow, it’s time for a new chapter—enter Brian Rosen, the assistant coach not stepping up as NCAA volleyball’s head coach.

New season, new NCAA volleyball coach!

On April 6, Creighton made it official—Brian Rosen is stepping into the spotlight as the new head coach of the NCAA volleyball squad, and honestly? It’s giving next-level energy. With legend Kirsten Booth stepping away after 22 unforgettable seasons, Rosen’s now at the wheel—but don’t worry, Booth’s still sticking around in a behind-the-scenes, fundraising fairy godmother kinda way. As Athletic Director Marcus Blossom put it, “While we celebrate the incredible success of Coach Booth, we are excited to continue the tradition of excellence within the Creighton volleyball program with Coach Brian Rosen at the helm.”

And Brian? Well, he is not shy at all when it comes to expressing his affection. He described this as “a dream come true,” and even dropped a heartfelt shoutout: “Thank you does not do justice to what Coach Booth has meant to me and to my family…” You can feel the gratitude oozing out of every word. He’s fired up, laser-focused, and ready to carry the torch with the same fiery pride that has kept Creighton moving up the rankings year after year. The dude’s got creds for days—AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year, tactical mastermind, elite recruiter—and the vibes are clear: he’s built for this..

From dominating victories to lighting up the floor at D.J. Sokol Arena, Rosen has been an active part of the team that boasts an impressive record of 88-13 since 2022. Now it’s officially his show. Booth even added her voice to the moment by saying, “Brian has my full support, and I’m excited to watch the continued success of Creighton volleyball.” With that kind of backing, a stacked resume, and fans ready to shout “Go Jays!” from the rafters, the future’s lookin’ real bright, real bold, and full of NCAA Volleyball magic.