We all knew this day would come right? Sooner or later, John Cook was bound to hang up his clipboard, and that moment finally arrived in January. And while the news was bitter for every Husker fan, it was especially bitter for Harper Murray. And here’s the kicker—she was the first to know about Cook’s decision to step away. It must have been an emotional rollercoaster for someone who views him as a coach and a father figure.

But, let us first look at how this shocked her world before we get to the extent of the effect. John Cook recently got candid about Harper Murray in a way that pulled at the heartstrings. While reflecting on his retirement, he made a heartfelt confession about the sensational bond. It goes far beyond the game. And let’s be real—when a legendary coach like Cook gets emotional, you know it’s something deep.

In a video shared by I-80 Club, Lincoln Arneal threw a big one at John Cook, asking how he handled breaking the news to his team. “You mentioned how this was an easy decision for Troy,” he started, before going straight to the crux of it: how it must have been to meet with players he was so close to and tell them he was retiring. Arneal continued, reminding them of the meeting when Cook shared the news with his team. “What was your biggest worry going into that meeting?” he asked, knowing full well that a moment like that isn’t just business—it’s personal.

John Cook did not take much time to understand his biggest concern before breaking the news.

“My biggest worry was Harper,” he admitted. He understood this would affect her most of all due to the glorious moments they went through together. That is why he went to see her one hour before the team meeting.

When he finally addressed the team, emotions ran high.

“There were two of our teammates holding their hand, and of course, there were other players that showed emotion, which was great, but they moved right on. They met, ‘We’re going to support Dani,’ so it was a quick transition.” Still, the weight of it all lingered. Messages kept coming in, and Cook reflected on the years spent recruiting these players—some since eighth grade. “Harper for seven years, so it’s… six or seven years. And then, so anyway…”

He even joked about Bekka Allick being a troublemaker during her fourth grade in camp. But through it all, one thing was clear—Cook felt good about leaving the program in the best shape it’s ever been. “I want Dani to have a great team. Not only a team that’s talented and can win, but a great team to coach.”

As Harper once put it, “He’s the closest thing I have to a father figure.” And let’s be real—John Cook was never just a coach to her. From the brutal waves of online trolling to the weight of her DUI arrest, Cook was there, unwavering. Now, with his retirement shaking up the volleyball world, Harper has some words to share about the man who’s been in her corner through it all.

Harper Murray’s heartfelt words for John Cook!

Harper Murray was not shy in showing the level of affection she had for John Cook. In her heartfelt Instagram post on January 31, she kicked things off with, “I have the utmost love and respect for this man, and it’s truly almost impossible to put into words how much he means to me.” And, to be quite frank, that sums it all up.

To Harper, Cook was not only the coach of Nebraska volleyball but also the person who supported her when she needed it the most. “I never expected that our relationship will change my life in a way that I never imagined,” she said. He supported her during her most challenging times, even when she wanted solitude.

But that’s just who he is—a coach, a mentor, and, let’s be real, a ride-or-die. “John would run through a wall for me, and I would do the same for him. I will never be able to put into words how appreciative I am of him.”

No doubt, his legacy isn’t just about wins and championships—it’s about the unshakable impact he’s had on every player who’s ever worn that Nebraska jersey. And with the program still running at full speed, his impact won’t disappear anytime soon.