LINCOLN, Neb. — John Cook always enjoys a good football analogy.
He said he considered former Nebraska football coach and athletic director Tom Osborne his “greatest mentor.” Osborne stepped down from coaching in 1997 after thriving for 25 years, the same amount of time Cook directed Nebraska’s volleyball program.
The school announced Cook’s retirement on Wednesday. Cook, 68, explained his decision Thursday during an emotional news conference in the shadow of Memorial Stadium, where his team in 2023 set a global attendance record for a women’s sporting event by attracting a crowd of more than 92,000 to watch an outdoor volleyball match.
“We’re at the top of our game,” said Cook, who coached in 12 Final Fours and won four national championships, “so it’s a great time to be a cheerleader now.”
And it’s an opportune moment to debunk a football analogy.
GO DEEPER
Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook retires; Dani Busboom Kelly to take over
Looking to replace a legendary coach after a remarkable quarter-century run — or to foster the return of a native Nebraskan who experienced success on the outside?
Nebraska football knows something about both scenarios.
The hiring of Cook’s successor, Dani Busboom Kelly, is not the volleyball equivalent of elevating Frank…
