Dani Busboom Kelly takes over Nebraska volleyball as John Cook retires

John Cook steps down after 25 years, passing Nebraska volleyball to Dani Busboom Kelly.

Katie George interviews Dani Busboom Kelly at CHI Health Center Omaha on December 17, 2022, in Omaha, Nebraska. Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA/Getty Images

By Yuni Utomo and Randy Ahmad

John Cook always enjoys a good football analogy, and as he retires after 25 years leading Nebraska volleyball, he sees this transition as a moment to celebrate rather than lament. Cook, 68, officially announced his retirement on Wednesday, ending a legendary coaching career that included four national championships and 12 Final Four appearances. During an emotional news conference on Thursday, held near Memorial Stadium, he reflected on his journey and expressed confidence in his successor, Dani Busboom Kelly.

“We’re at the top of our game,” Cook said, referencing the program’s dominance. “So it’s a great time to be a cheerleader now.”

Cook, who considers former Nebraska football coach and athletic director Tom Osborne his greatest mentor, steps down after a tenure that solidified Nebraska’s place as a powerhouse in women’s volleyball. The program made history in 2023 by setting a global attendance record for a women’s sporting event, drawing over 92,000 fans to an outdoor match.

As Nebraska moves forward, the hiring of Busboom Kelly represents a carefully planned transition, not an uncertain experiment. Some may compare her hiring to past Nebraska football coaching decisions—like the promotions of Frank Solich or Scott Frost—but Cook dismissed those parallels.

“We’ve learned lessons in the past 25 years about how things can go wrong,” he said, referencing Nebraska football’s struggles. “We’ve got to do everything we can to keep Nebraska volleyball strong. Dani is the right person.”

A tested and proven leader

Unlike Solich, who was untested as a head coach when he took over Nebraska football in 1998, or Frost, who returned to Lincoln after only two years of head coaching experience, Busboom Kelly brings a wealth of success at the highest levels.

In her eight seasons at Louisville, she transformed the program into a national contender, leading the Cardinals to multiple deep tournament runs. Louisville reached the NCAA Final Four in 2021, played for the national championship in 2022, and returned to the title game last season. Her teams consistently excelled, compiling a 120-15 record over the last four years—outpacing even Nebraska’s performance in that same period.

“She’s already comfortable under pressure,” said Nebraska director of operations Lindsay Peterson, who worked with Busboom Kelly when she was a player and assistant coach for the Huskers. “I’ve seen her ability to inspire belief in her players. They know they can achieve big things under her leadership.”

In 2019, Busboom Kelly led Louisville to its first Elite Eight appearance after an upset win over Texas. She was named national coach of the year in 2021, proving her ability to lead at the highest level. Cook recalled that three years ago, she told him she wanted to return to Nebraska when he retired. Now, that vision becomes reality.

A legacy of leadership

For Cook, the transition to Busboom Kelly is personal. She was one of his first major recruits at Nebraska, a standout athlete from Cortland, Nebraska. Originally recruited as a setter, she made a pivotal transition to libero in 2006 after Cook called her into his office with the difficult news.

“She cursed me out and left my office,” Cook recalled with a laugh. “Didn’t see her for three days.”

Eventually, she returned, not to quit, but with a letter pledging to do whatever it took to help the team succeed. That season, she was named team captain, led Nebraska to a national title, and became the best libero in the Big 12.

“That’s when I knew she would be a great coach,” Cook said.

Now, at 39 and expecting her second child, Busboom Kelly returns to lead the program that shaped her career. Cook believes she will bring her own style to Nebraska volleyball while preserving the program’s identity.

“She knows the Nebraska way,” Cook said. “She’ll put her own touch on it, she’ll dress better than me, and she’ll have more fun with the players than I did. But it’s still going to be Nebraska volleyball.”

A bright future for Nebraska volleyball

Cook’s greatest pride is not just the championships or the record-breaking attendance numbers, but the fact that he is handing the program to a former player and Nebraska native.

As Nebraska volleyball moves forward, Cook’s confidence in Busboom Kelly reassures players, fans, and alumni that the program will remain at the forefront of college volleyball. Unlike Nebraska football’s struggles with coaching changes, this transition is built on a foundation of experience, preparation, and a deep understanding of what makes the Huskers successful.

“For 25 years, Nebraska volleyball has outperformed football,” Cook said. “And with Dani leading the way, there’s no reason to think that will change.”