When Dani Busboom Kelly was recruited as John Cook’s successor as Nebraska’s head volleyball coach, the 4x NCAA-winning veteran was elated. For him, Cook noted, it was a pleasure to leave the program in the hands of one of his former students. “There is no greater reward in coaching than that,” the Huskers’ former boss stated in his retirement speech. But as it seems, old habits die hard, and John still can’t help but see DBK as a protege.
The Big Red is on a roll. So far, Nebraska has been able to face every challenge thrown at it and is currently comfortably on an 8-0 record. Last Saturday, the Huskers swept Grand Canyon clean at home and made sure Busboom Kelly’s maiden season with the reigning Big Ten champs continued its triumphant campaign. After the match, Cook made a special appearance as the guest interviewer, asking his successor critical questions. However, the current coach felt like her former mentor almost slipped into his old shoes for a moment there.
Hurrdat Sports went on X on September 15 to share how Busboom Kelly felt being interviewed by Cook, who also guided Nebraska to the NCAA title in 2006, when the former was a member of the Huskers’ roster. “Once a coach, always a coach,” reads the lucid caption of the post, while the accompanying video clip showcases DBK’s amusement. “It was weird,” Dani said with a chuckle. “I was laughing a bit. I love how he was telling me things while asking me questions. He’s still a little coach-y,” the coach elaborated on how Cook seemed to still consider her as a budding talent who needs her guidance.
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But then again, Cook’s wisdom as a prolific coach can hardly be something that Busboom Kelly wouldn’t want to have more of. It was under John’s tenure at the helm that Nebraska reached the heights it is in now. Moreover, having coached numerous future Olympians and world champs, Cook knows very well what it takes to dominate collegiate volleyball. Naturally, we’d assume that despite Busboom Kelly’s funny take on the matter, she didn’t mind getting a few tips from her former boss, either.
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But on the other hand, it also can’t be ruled out that Cook might be missing his old job. During the AVCA First Serve Showcase last month, the legendary volleyball coach even admitted he woke up in the morning of the Nebraska vs Pittsburgh matchday with an emotional urge from within. “I woke up this morning wanting to coach,” Cook joked about how he wouldn’t mind getting back into the Huskers’ locker room once again.
Moreover, Busboom Kelly has a long way ahead of us. Now, while it is true that she has excelled as Louisville’s head coach for the last years, upholding John Cook’s legacy won’t be an easy task by any means. Under such circumstances, you can’t really blame Cook for trying to impart some extra knowledge to Dani as she hopes to maintain the momentum the team has gathered in the early stages of the season. But hey, Coach Cook isn’t the only one who believes DBK can use a bit of their guidance!
Dani Busboom Kelly has enough help to go by
Just earlier this month, the Huskers’ boss revealed how her mom has tried to influence her coaching tactics from the stands for years. “My mom used to try to call them for me from the stands. I would see her across the way in Louisville being like, ‘Time out!’ Then it made me not want to call the timeout,” Dani grinned, talking about her mother being just like every other mothers in the world. While now Busboom Kelly has effectively been able to prove that she can fare well on her own, she will still have some remnants from the John Cook era for some extra boost.
When Cook announced his decision to retire in January, fans were concerned about how the Huskers would play under the new management. However, as it turned out, Cook’s former colleagues opted to stay back and hold the line in his absence. Both Jaylen Reyes and Kelly Hunter signed new contracts with Nebraska, extending their stay in Lincoln. If that wasn’t enough, Busboom Kelly was also fortunate enough not to lose any of the athletes to the transfer market before the 2025 season.
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With so many helping hands by her side, we can only hope that DBK’s first season as the head coach of her alma mater will turn out to be one for the history books. Don’t you?