After 25 seasons and four national championships, legendary Nebraska Volleyball coach John Cook steps away from the sidelines—and into the saddle.
In The Last Ride with John Cook, veteran sportscaster Larry Punteney sits down with Coach Cook for an intimate and in-depth interview. Set against the cinematic backdrop of Cook’s Wyoming ranch, this one-hour special traces the unlikely journey of a California basketball player who fell into volleyball and changed the sport forever. Cook opens up about his humble beginnings in Chula Vista, the life-altering moment that reshaped his career, and the evolution that transformed him into a coach known for his competitive spirit on the court and a pioneer in the sport of volleyball.
"As a coach, you take out the wins and losses… I feel like I’ve done the best job coaching of my career. That’s why it’s easy to walk away. I know I put everything I had into it.”
He shares in-depth his evolution as a coach, the ups and downs at Nebraska, why a record-breaking night in Memorial Stadium brought him to tears, and how Nebraska Volleyball became the gold standard for women’s sports in America.
"That volleyball night was a game changer for women’s sports... and to be a part of that, to know we made that big a difference—it still gives me chills.”
The Last Ride with John Cook is more than just a retrospective on a coaching legend—it’s a celebration of a man whose impact transcended the game, shaping generations of athletes and redefining volleyball’s place in American sports culture. This special will provide fans with the definitive story of John Cook’s extraordinary journey, his lasting legacy and the new adventure that awaits him.
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“I didn’t want to fade out. I wanted to burn out.”
— John Cook on his retirement.
In 25 seasons at Nebraska, John Cook amassed:
4 National Championships
12 NCAA Semifinal appearances
9 Big 12 titles
5 Big Ten titles
Career Record: 883-176 (.834)- fifth-best winning percentage all-time for a DI volleyball coach
Nebraska Record: 722-103 (.875)- best winning percentage for any DI program over the last 25 years
