“I have a lot of love and respect for him [John Cook]. I wouldn’t be the person or the player I am without him. And I know that I owe a lot to him,” Harper Murray said before heading into her final regular season. Her admiration for Nebraska’s volleyball coach is clear—after a tough 2023 season that left her emotionally drained, Coach Cook’s support was the lifeline she needed. With his help, she rose from the struggle, delivering a performance last season that proved her worth. But now, a new chapter has been added to their story.

On January 12, Harper Murray took to her Instagram story, sharing a letter snapshot with a caption that read, “Found this letter that coach wrote me 8 years ago🤍.” And what were the contents of the letter? A treasure trove of praise from Coach Cook, written when Murray wasn’t even a household name yet. Back in 2016, Cook had already seen something special in her, long before she became a standout player.

The letter, dated from the summer of 2016, was from one of Nebraska’s volleyball camps, likely one of their age-based training camps. But the fact that Cook took time to write such a glowing letter to a then-unknown Murray speaks volumes. Remember, the Huskers had just claimed the national title in 2015, and the team was stacked with talent like Jordan Larson and Justine Wong-Orantes. The bar was set sky-high, yet Coach Cook couldn’t help but be impressed with Harper Murray’s skill.

In the letter, the Nebraska Huskers HC John Cook wrote, “You were awesome to coach-one of the best learners I have coached! Know that you will always have a locker at Nebraska! Hope you can see a match here sometime- until then, dream big! P.S. you look great in Red!” The all-caps emphasis on “awesome” and “best learners” shows just how much Cook believed in her potential from the get-go. Six years later, those words have proven to be spot on—Harper Murray’s place in Nebraska’s volleyball legacy was always meant to be.

After claiming the Gatorade National Player of the Year title in 2022, Harper Murray joined the Huskers. Since her freshman year in 2023, she continued to utilize her chances. In 2024, perhaps she came out of her shell. In the season, she claimed nine double-doubles and helped the squad reach the final of the NCAA volleyball championship. However, all hell broke loose in 2024, when the outside hitter continued to craft memorable statements. 

On the court. Harper set the bar, keeping the count of kills out of reach of anyone in her squad. She ended the season with 411 kills and 294 digs. Her nearest chaser, Merritt Beason, ended her season with 339 kills. Furthermore, in clutch moments in the postseason, she stood firm. In her last three games for the Huskers, Murray claimed 22, 10, and 20 kills. Among those matches, in the Regional final, the coach came down to the arena to share his emotions with Harper after the victory. Apart from this, throughout the volleyball season last year, Cook showed up with Harper in the TikTok videos, displaying the loose moments. 

The duo’s camaraderie in the TikTok videos reached a level that once a sports journalist failed to suppress curiosity. In the press conference, the journalist asked the coach, “Coach, before you go celebrate with your team, will there be a Big Ten championship TikTok from you and Harper?” The soft-spoken coach smiled only. However, the best example of their bonding came after the 2023 volleyball season. 

Harper Murray finds a ‘father figure’ in her coach 

In the 2023 NCAA volleyball championship final, Harper Murray faced a crushing emotional blow with the defeat against the Texas Longhorns. Despite an incredible season, the loss was tough to swallow. In the midst of that emotional turmoil, she made a bold prediction that caught a lot of attention. During the post-final press conference, she declared, “I think we’re going to win three national championships (in) the next three years.”

Well, let’s just say not everyone appreciated her confidence. To some, it came off as pure boasting, and before long, the trolls had a field day. Critics were quick to jump on her words, and the backlash didn’t stop there. 2024 also brought personal complications for Murray, adding fuel to the fire. Things were rough, and the pressure seemed to be piling up. But through it all, John Cook stood by her side.

Even when Murray faced legal issues, Cook didn’t pull her from the roster. In fact, he reassured her mom that no matter what happened, Harper would remain part of the team. It was in this moment that Murray truly realized the depth of his support. As she put it, “He wasn’t happy with me. But at the same time, he promised my mom that he would be there for me. And that’s exactly what he did. He held me accountable. But he gave me grace.”

And make no mistake—Murray was determined to rise again. The 2024 season marked her spectacular comeback, and for her, it was all a tribute to the coach who had her back when it mattered most. Having lost her father, Vada Murray, to lung cancer in 2011, Murray’s words about John Cook hold even greater weight. She honored him with deep significance, saying, “He’s the closest thing I have to a father figure.” It’s clear just how much Cook means to her, and the bond they share goes beyond just coaching. It’s a bond worth cherishing, don’t you think?