It’s showtime in Nebraska, but this debut isn’t about a fresh-faced player hitting the court—it’s all about the Huskers’ new head coach, Dani Busboom Kelly, stepping into the spotlight! Flashback to early February, Lincoln Arneal of Huskers Illustrated spilled some volleyball tea on X and it was like an earthquake among the fanbase. He said, “During an interview on @VolleyballPod, John Cook said Nebraska will play Kentucky in Nashville this fall. Tennessee and Purdue will also participate in the event at Bridgestone Arena.” But that is not all–the drama did not end there–Dani Busboom Kelly was to face some very familiar opponents in her first match.

Arneal added, “That means Dani Busboom Kelly will face familiar rivals Pitt and UK early in her NU stint.” And guess what? Her very first game leading the Huskers? None other than a high-stakes showdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the 2025 AVCA First Serve—all going down from August 22-24 at Pinnacle Bank Arena! But get ready to hold onto your Husker hats because the plot twist just turned things up even more! Because of Matt Rhule’s decision about The Husker Game, Dani Busboom Kelly is coaching the game sooner than planned.

Dani Busboom Kelly set to make an early debut!

Lincoln Arneal just set Husker Nation on fire with a fresh update on X, and it’s got Nebraska volleyball fans buzzing! On March 6, he spilled the tea, saying, “Nebraska will play Kansas in a spring exhibition on April 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Devaney Center. This will be the debut for Dani Busboom Kelly. Matt Ulmer is in his first year at Kansas as both programs made hires after long-time coaches retired. Tickets go on sale March 11.” Yep, you read that right—DBK is officially making her debut in front of a hyped Nebraska crowd, and the energy? Already electric!

Still scratching your head about what’s going down in Nebraska? Well, buckle up, because the Cornhuskers are flipping the script on spring football with The Husker Games! Nebraska fans are set to be treated to a full day of football, volleyball, and soccer action on Saturday, April 26 in preparation for the next season in 2025. Head coach Matt Rhule made it clear back in February—no traditional spring game this time around.

Why? To protect his roster from getting poached. “The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore… I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, ‘He looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him,’” clarified Rhule. Well, forget the typical scrimmage, what you will get is a 7-on-7 action, skills challenge like the Pro Bowl, and even some appearances by some of the Husker greats who will come off the sidelines to join in the fun. Oh, and for an extra twist? A women’s flag football match between Midland University and the UNL intramural team. And this is also where DBK and her girls come in.

The volleyball court is getting some love too, with the Huskers locking in a spring showdown against the Kansas Jayhawks at 6:30 p.m. CT—expect serious heat in that matchup. Meanwhile, soccer fans can catch Nebraska taking on the Wyoming Cowboys in a spring exhibition match at 4:30 p.m. CT, and the best part? That one’s free to attend! Now with the debut on line, Dani Busboom Kelly indeed has some weight on her shoulders!!

Kelly all set to lead the Huskers!

Dani Busboom Kelly is officially rocking the Huskers’ red, but let’s be real—she’s stepping into some legendary shoes. John Cook was not only a coach at Nebraska, but he created a legacy. Over twenty-five seasons, the man led the Huskers to four national championships (2000, 2006, 2015, 2017) and fourteen conference titles. So yeah, Dani’s got a mountain of expectations ahead, but Husker Nation isn’t sweating it. Why? Because she’s already been embraced with open arms.

In a Huskers Volleyball reel from February 5, Dani Busboom Kelly got real about the transition. When asked about the team’s support, she couldn’t help but be moved. “I thought that was amazing. You know, I don’t know these players very well. I recruited them, some of them. I might have had one or two conversations with some of them, but nothing more than very surface level.” But despite that, the team didn’t hesitate to back her up. She continued, “And for them to lose someone like John and immediately be able to turn their focus into, you know, what’s next and what can we do to support Dani, it was huge to hear that.” Talk about a warm welcome!

For Dani, that was the last push that she needed to convince her that she made the right decision at the right time. “And just another, you know, another sign that this was a great move at the right time.” It is one thing to inherit a team that is a powerhouse but it is another thing to have a team that is already riding with you before a single serve is made. She has the skills, the desire, and now, the team that is one hundred percent focused on her. John Cook’s legacy is untouchable, but something tells us Dani Busboom Kelly’s about to build something special in Lincoln.