Home/US Sports

The sudden retirement of beloved Nebraska Huskers coach John Cook caught every volleyball fan off guard. However, even before they could fathom the gravity of the news, the Huskers hit fans with another surprise, announcing Dani Busboom Kelly would be filling the void Cook leaves behind. However, just when they thought the surprises were over, both coaches showed up at tonight’s Cornhuskers basketball game.

John Cook walked onto the center basketball court and the stadium roared to life. The 68-year-old made his way to the center, where Athletic Director Troy Dannen greeted the legendary coach. However, Dani Busboom Kelly wasn’t far behind either, and the crowd cheered once again as Nebraska welcomed the Huskers alumnus in her new role.

“John Cook was honored for his retirement and Dani Busboom Kelly was welcomed back to Lincoln at tonight’s basketball game. What a moment,” posted Hail Varsity as they shared a clip of the memorable moment on social media. Hail Varsity also shared other clips from the occasion. One of those clips showed Dani Busboom Kelly walking in shortly after Cook.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The new Nebraska Huskers head coach joined her predecessor in the center of the court, and the pair hugged. It was a true passing of the torch moment between John Cook and DBK, who first came to Nebraska as one of the many talented volleyball players the 68-year-old has trained through the years. “Both received a standing ovation,” noted Lincoln Arneal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

While the Huskers were successful in surprising almost everyone in attendance at the Huskers men’s basketball game, BDK had been spotted ahead of the game. HuskerOnline writer Robin Washut spotted Kelly speaking with Huskers star Rebekah Allick’s mother near the stands. And while a stadium full of fans honoring Cook and DBK was an impressive sight to behold, even more impressive was how quickly the transition happened.

The transition from John Cook to Dani Busboom Kelly took days

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

What’s your perspective on:

John Cook's retirement: End of an era or the start of a new Huskers dynasty?

Have an interesting take?

One week was all it took for the Huskers to get Dani Busboom Kelly from Louisville to Nebraska. Transiting between coaches is among the most disruptive changes for any team, and it often takes weeks to months for such deals to go through. Don’t take our word for it. Even Creighton’s coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth was impressed with the rapid transition.

“Super impressed with how both Nebraska and Louisville volleyball have handled this seismic change in each program,” Booth said about the transfer. John Cook explained how they did it in Thursday’s conference. Cook explained he approached NU’s Athletic Director Troy Dannen last Thursday to set up a succession plan.

As fate would have it, Danny Busboom Kelly was in Omaha to catch a LOVB Omaha game, and Dannen took the opportunity to meet the Louisville coach. Within a few days, it became clear to everyone involved that DBK was the choice for Nebraska. The Athletic Director finalized the transfer with Louisville on Wednesday and within 20 minutes, Cook announced his retirement.

However, there was a crucial reason behind Louisville letting go of the woman who had put them on the NCAA Championship map so easily. That reason was a detail in DBK’s contract with Louisville. “It was written into her Louisville contract, basically, that she’d be in line — without penalty! — to leave for her ‘undergraduate alma mater.'” explained Lincoln Journal Star’s Amy Just. And while everyone is sad to see John Cook leave, they’re also excited to welcome back a familiar face.

Have something to say?

Let the world know your perspective.

ADVERTISEMENT

0
  Debate

Debate

John Cook's retirement: End of an era or the start of a new Huskers dynasty?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT