In 1999, Nebraska’s former athletic director, Bill Byrne, had a massive task on his hands. Legendary coach Terry Pettit had stepped down at the end of the season and had handpicked John Cook to replace him. Cook had worked as an assistant at NU for three years before taking the role of head coach at Wisconsin. It was going to be hard for him to turn down Pettit, but first, he wanted a meeting with Byrne. Cook and Byrne did meet and it lasted all of two minutes. In the meeting, Byrne promised to never tell Cook no, and that two-minute meeting led to a 25-year bond. Four NCAA titles, nine Big 12 titles, and five Big Ten titles vindicated Byrne and Pettit’s faith in Cook, who announced his retirement in January. And now? The University of Nebraska is thinking of putting some serious respect on his name, like, a literal bronze statue kind of respect.

It is reported that the University of Nebraska Board of Regents will vote on April 11 to rename the home of Husker Volleyball to the John Cook Arena at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. This will be in addition to building a bronze statue of Cook outside the sports center. Until then, Cook’s name continues to make waves months after he said his goodbyes. For now, he’s back in the headlines with a raw and honest take about his decision to call it a day.

On April 7, Hurrdat Sports hit John Cook with the big one—“Was walking away from the sport the hardest thing you think you’ve had to do in your career?” Cook didn’t hesitate: “No no, I don’t feel like I’ve walked away yet.” And when the host joked, “They keep pulling you back,” Cook chuckled and said, “Yeah, you wouldn’t believe the amount of requests and things I’ve been asked to do.”

He admitted he’s been flooded with offers, but “I’ve turned down probably 80% of it just because it would mean I wouldn’t be able to do what I want to do, which is be with the Cowboys in Arizona and then be in Wyoming with my family.” While Cook is happy to ride off into the sunset, his ties and duties with Nebraska mean he isn’t completely retiring to his ranch in Wyoming any time soon.

During his farewell press conference, athletic director Troy Dannen revealed he had asked him to stay on in a different role for Nebraska. “We’re working through a contract with him, to be the terminology is probably special assistant to the athletic director,” Dannen said. While it is unclear whether he has taken up the role officially, it turns out Cook is still involved with the program.

He is helping his successor, Dani Busboom Kelly, transition smoothly into her new role.

“I don’t feel like I’m disconnected. Dani (Busboom Kelly) and me are pretty much texting and talking every day about revenue share and different things, and recruiting. We have a couple of players that are committed here and signed that aren’t here yet in the freshman class. So just making sure all that transition goes smooth. So, I don’t feel like I’ve walked away yet,” Cook revealed. So while he may not be on the sidelines in his usual spot, he’s very much in the loop, still steering the ship from behind the curtain.

Despite his retirement, Cook continues to be a part of Nebraska, much like how his predecessor, Terry Pettit, was about 25 years ago. And yes, ever since Coach Cook hung up the whistle, life’s been anything but chill.

He straight-up joked, “I just—I think I need a full-time manager to manage all the requests that are coming in because everybody thinks, you know, I’m retired now, I got all this free time and nothing to do.” Spoiler alert: he’s got zero free time. From invites flying in hot to interviews stacking up like pancakes, the man’s been busier than ever, just minus the courtside whistle. But hey, he also let us in on a little secret—the moment it clicked. The moment he realized it was time to pass the torch and ride into that Arizona sunset.

John Cook reveals the moment that led to his retirement!

When John Cook sat down with Hurrdat Sports, he didn’t sugarcoat a thing. When asked if he had any ‘this could be it’ moments last season, he didn’t miss a beat—“Yeah, I had a moment when we were at Wisconsin. It kind of hit me there.” And it wasn’t some grand epiphany either. Just a low-key moment chilling with Lindsay Krause after a pre-game meal. He told her, “I don’t know. I’m just having this feeling like, you know, this is—what else is there to do?” That’s when the gears started turning.

And while Nebraska absolutely cooked Wisconsin that night—sweeping them 3-0 in front of a rowdy crowd—it wasn’t just about the scoreboard for Coach Cook. The little life whispers started creeping in. Time with his grandkids started meaning more than another win. “Lauren’s getting ready to have another baby and I got a four-year-old granddaughter asking me where I’m at.” It wasn’t just volleyball tugging at him anymore—it was the whole family wave, rolling in hard and fast.

But what sealed it? It was straight out of a Hallmark movie, Nebraska edition. He said it happened in a retirement home in Ord. As he was leaving, an older gentleman looked at him and asked, “Who’s going to be the next coach?” and without skipping a beat, added, “It’s going to be the Louisville girl.” And boom—that was it. Just like that. The man who had become synonymous with success at Nebraska decided to call it a day. And boom—that was it. Just like that. Even his daughter Lauren admitted, “I saw an article, and it said former Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook, and I thought, ‘Whoa! That sounds weird.’” Yeah, weird is an understatement. But for now, it looks like Cook isn’t done yet.