Nebraska’s Athletic Director Makes Major John Cook Revelation Regarding His Post Retirement Plans: “Asked to Stay On”

Every Husker fan felt that bittersweet sting when John Cook announced he was stepping away. While a full-blown comeback might be a dream too far, there is no harm in wishing that he stays around in some form or the other, right? But how? Will he stay close to Nebraska? Will volleyball still be in the picture? Well, Nebraska’s Athletic Director just spilled the beans about Cook’s next plan after retiring and let me tell you this, Husker Nation won’t lose him just yet!!

John Cook might be stepping away from the sidelines, but don’t expect him to disappear into the Wyoming sunset just yet! Hail Varsity recently revealed on X that the legendary coach is sticking around Lincoln in a new role. Nebraska’s athletic director, Troy Dannen, isn’t letting Cook’s leadership go to waste. “I have asked John to stay on,” Dannen shared after Cook’s farewell press conference. “We’re working through a contract with him to be, the terminology is probably special assistant to the athletic director, for a lot of reasons. One, just his leadership and his ability to teach leadership. We need that. We need that for our student-athletes, and not just the volleyball team.”

John Cook is not just a coach, but a mentor, a friend, a person that Huskers can rely on. As college athletics continues to evolve, Dannen understands that it is impossible to afford to let Cook’s knowledge go to waste. He labeled him as the “philosophical leader of the state,” a person who is capable of pointing Nebraska sports in the right direction while at the same time preserving the essence of the state.

And Cook? He’s not just sticking around for the department—he’s also there for his protégé, Dani Busboom Kelly, as she steps into her new role leading the Huskers. “Whenever Dani asks for me, I’m there, and I’m going to help out with the athletic department with Troy,” Cook confirmed. His presence will be a steadying force, ensuring a smooth transition for Busboom Kelly and continuing to support Nebraska’s athletic success.

Of course, Cook couldn’t resist throwing in a classic Cook-ism to keep things light. “If they need me to coach linebackers, I’ll do that,” he joked. While his coaching days may officially be over, his impact on Nebraska athletics isn’t fading anytime soon.

John Cook has even recently described how he managed to build Nebraska volleyball into a national power. In 2000, the team had not traveled outside of the United States, so he proposed the idea to athletic director Bill Berner and nonchalantly added, “China.” At one point, it would have been deemed nearly impossible; however, they did it. Looking back, Cook is still in awe, saying, “I could never imagine the impact that Nebraska volleyball’s had.” Safe to say, they totally crushed it! But guess what? While John Cook is leaving, there are a few who are staying back!

Not John Cook, but others get retained!

Nebraska volleyball is keeping its coaching squad locked in, and Lincoln Arneal spilled the details on February 3. He revealed that “Jaylen Reyes and Kelly Hunter signed new contracts that will keep them at Nebraska through Jan. 31, 2026.” Therefore, as the coaching throne is handed over to Dani Busboom Kelly, Reyes and Hunter remain her loyal subjects–at least for another year.

Reyes has been coaching the Huskers since 2018, and has been instrumental in turning the team’s liberos into world-class players and guiding the beach volleyball team. His assistance paved the way for Lexi Rodriguez to become an AVCA All-American three times, and he even played a key role in Team USA’s U21 NORCECA Continental Championship in 2024.

Hunter, on the other hand, was the brains behind Bergen Reilly’s steep rise and helped her earn the title of the first freshman Big Ten Setter of the Year. It is therefore not shocking that Nebraska locked them in again, given such a resume. According to Arneal, “Reyes will make $170,000 while Hunter will get $125,000, which is the same around they were paid the past year.” Safe to say, the Huskers’ coaching lineup is staying stacked!