So let’s rewind the rodeo tape to January when Nebraska Volleyball’s iconic head coach, John Cook, made headlines—not for volleyball this time, but for his unexpected cowboy core. Thanks to his bond with Broken Bow’s own Travis Schauda (yep, the voice of the Burwell rodeo every summer), a full-blown team roping event lassoed its way into Lincoln. It all kicked off over a horse named Bobs—Cook didn’t even want a raise, just that one special horse he missed out on at the Pitzer sale. And when Nebraska AD Troy Dannen came calling with contract talk, Cook basically shrugged and said, “I don’t care about a raise, I just want this horse.” The internet ran wild, a horse-naming contest got 14,000+ votes, and suddenly, the saddle was set for something bigger.

That “something” turned into the John Cook Team Roping Classic, which officially galloped into town April 12-13 at the Sandhills Global Event Center. What started as a chill one-day idea exploded into a full-blown spectacle—with youth clinics, top-tier ropers, and a whole lotta Nebraska pride. Cook brought his dream-big energy, roping legend Billy Jack Saebens brought the skills, and Harper Murray’s boyfriend, Husker QB Heinrich Haarberg, brought the heart. He got real about what went down behind the barn doors, giving fans a peek at the softer, more personal side of Coach John Cook’s cowboy passion.

Hail Varsity hit the ‘gram with some seriously golden behind-the-scenes gems from the John Cook Roping Classic, and let’s just say—it gave out western legend energy. The carousel kicked off with Coach Cook fully in his cowboy feels, brushing down his horse like a man on a mission. The caption set the tone: “Cook brushes Reggie preparing for day one of the classic.” Then boom—slide two had him taking Reggie out for a scenic strut. And the next frame?

Oh, it went full Zach Bryan vibes with “Cook rides his horse Rev, named after the Zach Bryan song revival.” Cowboy hat? Check. Swagger? Double check. Then came the action: “Cook ropes a steer on Rev.” Yep, your volleyball coach just went full rodeo. And just when you thought that was the mic drop—Hail Varsity kept the rodeo rolling with bonus snaps featuring Lindsay Peterson, the Director of Nebraska Volleyball ops, rounding up steers like a natural on day two.

Then came the jaw-dropper: a custom saddle gifted to John Cook by Vitalix INC., complete with the words “Dream Big” and etched with all four NCAA titles he wrangled in Nebraska. The final pic showed Cook waving to fans like the cowboy king he is, fresh off receiving that legendary saddle. But the real internet-breaker moment? Oh, that belonged to none other than Harper Murray’s quarterback boo, Heinrich Haarberg, who slid into the comments with this absolute gem: “Yeah I’m cooked @harpermurrayy”—and honestly? So were we.

Cowboy boots stomped, hats tipped low, and ropes were flying—yep, the Sandhills Global Event Center turned full rodeo mode for the very first John Cook Team Roping Classic. With 250 contestants rollin’ in from six states deep, over 60 teams chased the clock and wrangled steers for a chance at a fat $180K prize pool. And guess who was dead center in the saddle? Nebraska volleyball’s own John Cook, riding tall on his horse Rev—the same one he got with his bonus check and had the internet name earlier this year. Dude wasn’t playing cowboy; he was cowboy. So wondering where did all the yeehaw energy start from?

John Cook’s cowboy lover life!

Back in July 2024, John Cook wasn’t just coaching—he was cowboyin’, straight-up riding high on his new horse, Rev, through downtown Burwell like it was a western movie with a Husker twist. Folks lined the streets, decked out in Big Red gear, chanting “Go Big Red!” like the Fourth of July came early. Cook, used to packed volleyball arenas, stood stunned as waves of Nebraska love echoed off every dusty building. “It’s way bigger than I thought,” he said, totally floored by the rural rodeo roar that showed up for their favorite coach turned cowboy.

Now, this wasn’t just a quiet back road rodeo—when Cook laid eyes on those jam-packed grandstands, he had to do a double take. “I’m thinking this is just a little dinky town rodeo,” he admitted, wide-eyed. But after witnessing wild horse races and steer wrestling madness, it was team roping that officially stole his heart. And when he and Rev pulled off a perfect run? “I can’t describe the feeling that I get,” he said, glowing like a kid who just lassoed a dream. Their connection wasn’t instant, but once he swung into that saddle on No. 415—aka Rev—something clicked. “It was like he knew what to do even though maybe I didn’t,” he laughed.

Since then, Cook’s gone full yeehaw. He’s practicing roping like it’s a new playbook, starting his own cattle biz (shoutout Cook and Son Co.), and soaking up every second of cowboy life. His mentor, Mark Wray, says it best: “He’s starting to feel those pieces come together.” Whether he’s on the court or on the ranch, Cook’s mixing grit, gratitude, and good ol’ Nebraska heart.