John Cook, the head volleyball coach at Nebraska and four-time national champion, has agreed to a new five-year contract, according to a statement made by athletic director Troy Dannen on Wednesday.
The recently concluded agreement pays Cook $825,000 a year starting on June 1 and lasts until January 31, 2029. The higher compensation equals a $75,000 annual boost. On July 1, 2024, Cook will also get a $70,000 retention incentive.
“We are fortunate to have John Cook leading our volleyball programme,” Dannen stated. “He is among the best coaches in American volleyball history and the most decorated coach in the country. John strives for nothing less than perfection in all of his endeavours, and his track record demonstrates this.
“Cornhusker athletics benefits from his leadership across our 24-sport programme and his impact inside the department in ways that go far beyond volleyball. This extension undoubtedly signifies the fruitful realisation of John’s vision, which was to position Nebraska as a national leader in volleyball advancement and promotion.”
Apart from the yearly pay, Cook’s contract also contains a deferred compensation agreement, and he can receive bonuses if his programme achieves specific levels of athletic accomplishment.
“I am very grateful to Troy and our administration for their support and confidence in our Husker volleyball programme,” Cook stated. “When Troy and I discussed my contract, I suggested that the Nebraska Athletic Department think about helping me buy the horse I’ve had my eye on in central Nebraska, rather than giving me an annual raise like some coaches do.
That would mean a lot to me.” The horse, known as No. 415, is a once-in-a-lifetime performance horse that was raised and born at the renowned Pitzer Ranch in Ericson. Mark Wray bought him as a weanling, and the Wray family trained him. Troy thought the idea was great, and even though it wasn’t expressly stated in the contract, No. 415 will be funded with the retention bonus. Troy’s support of my idea was very appreciated and I feel honoured by it. Everyone is anticipating what promises to be a thrilling season in 2024.”
Cook has led the Huskers to four NCAA Championships, eleven NCAA Semifinal appearances, nine Big 12 crowns, and four Big Ten titles since taking over the programme in 2000. During his career, his teams have amassed a 689-100 record, giving them the highest winning % in the country. Cook has won three Big Ten Coach of the Year awards (2016, 2017, 2023) and three AVCA National Coach of the Year awards (2000, 2005, 2023) together. Cook was admitted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2017.
Cook led a team without any seniors to the NCAA Final in 2023, when they finished with a 33-2 record. Cook was selected both the Big Ten Coach of the Year and the AVCA National Coach of the Year after the Huskers won the Big Ten Championship.
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