The Nebraska Huskers are on the roll this season. On November 16th, they picked up their staggering 40th home win as they defeated Indiana in the Bob Devaney Sports Center. It was complete and utter dominance by the second-ranked team as they battered their opponents 25-12, 25-17 and 25-19. Their standout player was Harper Murray, who recorded an incredible 10 kills and eight digs, showing her talent throughout the arena.

Both Andi Jackson and Merritt Beason also facilitated the team with eight kills each. This showed how strong the performance was by the whole Nebraska team, as all the players contributed to their victory. This is a sign of a great team where all players participate and take part in their victory. The individual who deserves most of the credit for this is their coach, John Cook. He has been on the job for 24 years and has overseen numerous highs of the team.

What are the major career achievements of the Nebraska volleyball coach?

Ever since John Cook took over Nebraska in 2000, he has demanded excellence from his team. It seems like he has achieved this at various points of his reign, as he has guided his team to numerous titles. The coach has won four NCAA championships while making 11 semifinal appearances. He has also won nine Big 12 titles and four Big Ten titles.

Cook’s record with the team stands at 689-100, contributing to an impressive winning percentage of .873. His specialty lies in defeating ranked teams, with a record of 228-86 against them. Over his 24-season tenure, his team has reached 23 NCAA regionals. But John Cook’s accomplishments extend beyond just team success.

The coach is also renowned for his ability to rapidly develop players into stars, with many earning individual honors. A Nebraska alum himself, John Cook has mentored five Olympians, three AVCA Division 1 National Players of the Year, two NCAA Top Ten Award winners, and 68 AVCA All-Americans. Being coached by John Cook is a privilege, and Nebraska is fortunate to have him at the helm.

John Cook’s new contract and why he switched from the Wisconsin Badgers

It seems Nebraska just can’t get enough of John Cook. The coach, who has been at the helm for 24 years, signed another five-year contract extension in May, securing his role as head coach until 2029. With this new deal, his annual salary has increased to $825,000, reflecting a $75,000 raise. Additionally, Cook received a $70,000 bonus in July, underscoring the value the team places on his leadership.

“We are fortunate to have John Cook leading our volleyball program,” said Troy Dannen, Nebraska Director of Athletics, in a news release. “He is the most accomplished coach in the nation and one of the top coaches in the history of American volleyball. John’s expectations are for nothing less than excellence in each and every endeavor, and his record reflects that,” he added.

Thus, Nebraska values its coach a lot. This was what he felt was missing in Wisconsin when he left them in 2000 to join the Huskers. The HuskerExtra once asked Cook whether Wisconsin tried to make him stay after the offer by Nebraska. He denied it and expressed a slight disdain for their then-AD Pat Ritcher. “He and I had two meetings ever, the day I arrived and the day I left. Both were very short,” said Cook.

On the other hand, he reserved the kindest words for then-Nebraska AD Bill Byrne, who brought him to the team. “He saw what could happen here. He was one of the best ADs ever.” Another reason the coach joined Nebraska was that his predecessor, Terry Petit, under whom he had served as an assistant for two years, personally requested Cook to succeed him after his retirement. Thus, John Cook couldn’t deny this offer and jumped ship. Safe to say, this has been a great decision for his career. It has also ultimately been a great move for his family, one of whom has stood as a pillar in his life.

Learn about John Cook’s wife, Wendy who is his major pillar of strength

John Cook’s wife, Wendy Cook, played a very crucial role in his career, being a very strong voice in every decision he took over the years. According to huskers.com, John Cook was ready to take the coaching job in Arizona in 1992, as he was impressed by their negotiation tactics and location, which was close to San Diego, a place where he spent some of his academic life.

However, Wendy was drawn to the traditional lifestyle of Wisconsin and persuaded her husband to accept an offer from the University of Wisconsin instead. John Cook agreed, and during his six years there, he built a formidable team. This success ultimately led to him being offered the Nebraska job when Terry Pettit stepped down. The rest, as they say, is history.