Emotional Lexi Rodriguez Shares Heartfelt Message After John Cook’s Shocking Nebraska Retirement

Of all the things Nebraska Huskers fans expected to hear, John Cook’s retirement wasn’t even on the list. Yet that’s exactly what happened when the official Huskers page suddenly dropped the news of the veteran coach’s decision to hang up the gloves. “What a ride it’s been Thank you and farewell, Coach Cook,” they wrote. Among those stunned by the news was Lexi Rodriguez.

The Nebraska volleyball icon spent her entire college volleyball career under Cook. Graduating from NU in 2024, Rodriguez is now part of LOVB Omaha but remains forever grateful to the man who got her here. “Thank you for taking a chance on me, coach; your belief was so valuable in my career,” Lexi Rodriguez wrote in her emotional tribute to the coach on Instagram.

“Nebraska will miss you,” the Huskers digs record holder added to her story. However, to say everyone will miss John Cook is an understatement. The sudden announcement of the four-time National Championship-winning coach retiring after 25 seasons with the Huskers sent shockwaves through the fandom. A one-word comment on the official post revealed the fan’s feelings.

“Sobbing,” wrote the fan. After all, it’s barely been a few days since Cook himself lamented losing assistant coach and Nebraska alum Jordan Larson. The 68-year-old expressed his disappointment but thanked the Olympic gold medalist for all she had done for the program for the past two seasons. Now everyone in Nebraska, including Lexi Rodriguez, has found themselves in a similar spot.

So while the fans are sad, they are grateful to Coach Cook for establishing Nebraska among the greatest college volleyball teams in history. John Cook also thanked everyone for the love they’ve given him throughout his career. “I’ve been here for 25 years. That’s a long time to do something. It’s been a great run,” the 68-year-old said.

However, with his departure, the Huskers will usher in a new era under one of Cook’s proteges.

The unexpected overhaul of the Nebraska coaching staff

With Jordan Larson and now John Cook leaving Nebraska, two of the most important positions among the Huskers coaching staff will have new faces. However, change may not be so unfamiliar to the players or the rest of the coaching staff. That’s because the Huskers have already hired former Husker player and then assistant coach, Dani Busboom Kelly.

Lexi Rodriguez’s fellow Husker alum spent her entire college volleyball career under Cook. Besides winning the national title in her final year, DBK lifted the national title as the Huskers assistant coach in 2015 before leaving for Louisville. Kelly created history at Louisville, taking the program to new heights and nearly becoming the first female coach to win the national title in 2024.

So John Cook has no qualms about leaving his post to a worthy successor. In fact, the 68-year-old couldn’t have asked for a better replacement. “For me personally, the greatest accomplishment in coaching is seeing former players go into coaching or other careers,” Cook added in his farewell notes. Dani Busboom Kelly is the embodiment of that dream.

The veteran coach also believes he has done everything after 25 seasons at Nebraska and winning nearly every honor under the sun. Omaha World-Herald columnist Tom Shatel recalled something Lexi Rodriguez’s coach had told him six years ago. “The best part is… you don’t have anything to prove,” Cook told Shatel.

Six years later, the Huskers legend has retired on his own terms.