John Cook’s retirement on January 30 hit Nebraska Huskers fans like a brick wall. BU’s Athletic Direct Troy Dannen explained the transition between Cook, deciding to retire and the university hiring Dani Busboom Kelly took just a week. As a result, the news came as a surprise even to Cook’s own staff, Nebraska volleyball assistant coach Jaylen Reyes.

“I never thought it was coming this year… As bummed as I am to see him not be the coach anymore, I’m really happy for him and his family,” Reyes said as per Huskers Illustrated. Even past coaches took notice of Cook’s sudden retirement. Among them was the woman who laid the program’s foundation in 1974. Similar to Reyes, coach Patricia Sullivan had heartfelt words for John Cook.

Pat Sullivan honored Coach Cook’s legacy and expressed excitement for what’s to come

“I’ve followed John for years and have been impressed with so many aspects of his role as head coach at Nebraska,” Sullivan said as per Huskers Illustrated’s Lincoln Arneal. The former coach who led the Huskers through their first two years before leaving for George Washington University, praised the Nebraska volleyball for how he handled the Huskers for 25 seasons.

Sullivan noted John Cook surrounded himself with talented staff like Reyes, allowing them to perform at their best.”He (and the athletic department) elevated the sport of volleyball around the country. It’s an amazing legacy,” added Pat Sullivan. However, the former Huskers coach was equally excited about the program’s future.

While she admitted to watching Dani Busboom Kelly only for the “past couple of years,” Sullivan is confident in the new head coach’s abilities. The fact that DBK took the Louisville volleyball program from regional contenders to national title contenders didn’t escape Sullivan. “I’ll be cheering for her from the sidelines!” said Sullivan while praising the Nebraska Volleyball coach blazing a trail.

Dani Busboom Kelly was one-half of the first all-female coach-led NCAA Championship final in 2024. Sullivan hopes DBK continues to create history moving forward. “There have been precious few women leading teams to the Final Four in the last 15-20 years. It means a great deal to have Dani in that position!” added Sullivan.

Nebraska Volleyball is set to open a new chapter

NU’s first volleyball coach isn’t the only one excited about what’s to come in the future for Nebraska. The entire volleyball community in Nebraska is excited to welcome the Huskers alum as their new head coach. In fact, the Nebraska Athletic Department has announced a formal introduction event to welcome Coach Dani Busboom Kelly and everyone’s invited.

“Thursday (February 6) is DBK Day in Lincoln. Join us in welcoming @coachdbk + her family back to Nebraska for a celebration at The Bob,” announced the official Nebraska Volleyball page. Fans arriving at 1:00 p.m. can choose to watch a replay of the 2006 NCAA Championship final as per the Beatrice Daily Sun. However, Dani Busboom Kelly will arrive an hour later at 2:00 p.m.

Yet, despite the excitement around Dani Busboom Kelly, Huskers fans are in a bittersweet mood. They’re excited to welcome a former Husker who won the NCAA title in 2006 as their head coach. However, they’re sad that the man who coached Kelly and her teammates to that title is no longer with NU. John Cook himself confessed to having no inkling of just how much the people of Nebraska loved him till the announcement.

On February 2nd, the former Nebraska Volleyball head coach explained that Troy Dannen had warned Cook. “This state may go into mourning,” Danne told the 68-year-old. While Cook initially responded with, “I mean, this is just a coach retiring,” the emotional response of the fan truly moved him.

However, John Cook is just as confident in his successor as the rest of the Nebraska volleyball community.