From Coach to Papa: Family time a priority in the next chapter of John Cook's life
By Aaron Bonderson 
, Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media
Aug. 8, 2025, 4:30 p.m. ·
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Time is one the most valuable things in life.
For 25 years, John Cook spent much of his time at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln leading the Nebraska Cornhusker volleyball program.
Depending on the time of year, Cook found short breaks from the grueling demands of running a volleyball program. But when he was in the heat of the preseason, regular season, postseason, recruiting battles or volleyball camps, Cook was all-in.
That was evident at his retirement press conference. An emotional Cook shared with the public the notion that “it’s better to burn out than fade out.” The quote comes from one of Cook’s favorite musicians, Neil Young, in the song “My My, Hey Hey.”
“I was going to go as hard as I could, and when the day came and I felt like I’ve done enough,” Cook trailed off, “-- and that’s what happened [when I decided to retire].”
The thousands of hours he poured into volleyball left a mark, to the tune of four national titles and 14 conference championships at Nebraska.
He felt like he ended his coaching career at his peak. It didn't take long for his competitive drive to send him back to volleyball.
Six months after his retirement, he found his next challenge. In the post-coaching chapter of Cook’s life, he will be the general manager and a co-owner of the Omaha Supernovas.
Before making that new commitment, Cook repeatedly shared his desire to spend more time with his family. Those moments have been hard to come by.
For example, he missed a big annual celebration with his wife Wendy, in favor of volleyball practice.
“I don't know if we've ever celebrated our anniversary, because it's right in the middle of two-a-days,” Cook said in an interview with Nebraska Public Media News.
Wendy isn’t the only one who sacrificed time.
“You miss a lot of birthdays, you miss a lot of sporting events,” Cook said.
The Cooks found pockets of time to share throughout his 32 years as a Division I head coach.
“In the summer, right before the season started, we always try to take a week vacation as a family,” Cook said. “So you just have to make up the times, the stuff that you miss.”
Cook made an effort to be there for the big moments, with a little nudge from his boss.
The final high school football home game for his son Taylor happened during volleyball season. At the time, athletic director Tom Osborne told Cook to make sure he saw Taylor play. From his time leading the Husker football program, Osborne told Cook he regretted not being there more for his kids. That message prompted Cook to rush back, after a big volleyball win, in time for Taylor’s senior night at Lincoln Pius X High School.
“When you can go, it better be a special deal,” Cook told Nebraska Public Media News.
As for his daughter Lauren, Cook attended one of her first big college volleyball matches. He was on the opposing sideline in 2009, coaching against Lauren’s UCLA Bruins. UCLA ended up getting the best of the Huskers, 3-2. It snapped a 90-match home winning streak for the Big Red.
He echoed his longing for more moments like that. During his retirement press conference, Cook said he missed lots of moments with his kids but said he wants to flip the script.
Those opportunities will be there. Lauren is having a second baby soon, giving him two grandchildren.
These days, Cook’s granddaughter Maddin isn’t afraid to help with horse chores on Cook’s Wyoming acreage. Cook emerged from the house sporting a fresh set of clothes and a cowboy hat.
“You look good, Papa,” Maddin said. “Oh, thank you!” Cook replied.
Maddin already knows how to ride a horse. The dynamic duo brushed Rev the horse and cleaned out his hooves. Rev is one of four Cook family horses.
The second family
Longstanding volleyball staffers notice and appreciate the sacrifices of the Cook family through the years.
Director of volleyball operations and former Husker national champion Lindsay Peterson is close with Cook. She looked after his first horse, Bud, on her Lincoln-area acreage.
She’s grateful Cook has the opportunity to see family more often, Peterson said.
“We've all got to have him for so long, and they've shared him with us,” Peterson said, “so now it's their turn.”
Watch this digital short from Nebraska Public Media Sports where Peterson talks about working with Coach Cook and his retirement:
Assistant coach Jaylen Reyes agrees that Cook has given tons of time and energy to coach at Nebraska. The Cooks treated him like family, inviting Reyes over for dinner many times after he joined the Husker staff.
“Wendy, his wife, was like a second mom to me when I first moved here,” Reyes said.
He’s happy to see his second family spending more time together but also said he wants to see Cook “on the golf course” soon.
On the court, the reins have been passed to Dani Busboom Kelly to run the program.
As his former player and assistant coach with lots of returning stars, the Cortland, Nebraska-native inherits high expectations, Cook said.
That includes the dilemma of “how do you handle a loaded roster?” Cook said. “How do you keep everybody happy?”
Those burning questions remain, all while the Kelly family welcomes home their second child. Busboom Kelly’s parents and in-laws live in Nebraska, which will help her endure the pressure to win, Cook said.
“With her family here, being from here, I feel like she's going to handle it really well,” Cook said. “I don't think she's going to feel the pressure. Her pressure will be the internal pressure of trying to win a national championship and win a Big Ten Championship.”
Her husband, Lane Kelly, was a long snapper on the Nebraska football team from 2003 to 2007, so it will be a homecoming for him, too. He grew up in Omaha, and his parents still live in the area.
That’s such an advantage when it comes to coaching and raising a family simultaneously. He’s lived it from the parent and grandparent perspective.
“My daughter calls me, boom, I drop everything and I'm down there,” Cook said. “So yeah, I get the grandparent thing now, and the grandparents are just waiting for the call.”
With the season rapidly approaching, the 2025 Huskers had those high expectations attached to a number.
This week, the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll dubbed Nebraska preseason No. 1. The Big Red look to avenge a brutal loss to eventual national champion Penn State in last year’s Final Four, which was Cook’s final match as head coach. Penn State ended up defeating Busboom Kelly’s Louisville Cardinals for the national title.
While the 2025 Huskers prepare for season one in the post-Cook era, the former head coach starts a new venture. Cook became a leading advocate for college volleyball and will have the chance to grow the professional game in Omaha.
Despite all the recent news, Cook anticipates finding more time on his Wyoming acreage with family. He hopes to be addressed as Papa more often than Coach. Peterson said the name suits him well.
“He's had an incredible journey and legacy,” Peterson said, “and now his legacy is going to get to be grandpa, and I think that's just so fitting for him.”
As someone who fell in love with roping and horses to be closer with his son Taylor, Cook will aim to pass down that love to his granddaughter Maddin.
“I love you Rev,” Maddin said to Cook. “I love all of the horses so much. All of the horses, every animal in the whole wide world.”
Sounds like it’s already taken hold.
A Nebraska Public Media documentary, The Last Ride with John Cook, will premiere on television, Facebook Live and YouTube Live at 7 p.m. Central Time Sunday, August 10th. For more information, visit Nebraskapublicmedia.org/lastride.