“I’ve heard this 10,000 times since our season ended: Coach, great season, but we don’t like how it ended. We thought we were going to win a national championship. Well, so did I,” retired head coach John Cook said during his conversation with Ana Bellinghausen. The 68-year-old explained how these statements set the tone for what fans expect and how it builds the pressure.

Cook explained how the Huskers have been at the top of their game for the last two seasons. From winning the back-to-back BIG10 championships to getting within touching distance of the national title, they did it all, except win the title. And now that Coach Cook has retired, he has some advice for his successor, Dani Busboom Kelly, regarding the weight of expectations.

“People have no idea how much pressure there is on our players,” said John Cook. While the humble coach excluded himself, he explained that Busboom Kelly will feel the weight of a team that consistently makes the top four; that’s always a contender. “Pressure is a privilege, but we also can’t let that get to us and get to our players,” said the four-time NCAA title winner.

At Nebraska, “Kelly will have to learn how to ‘balance that and keep it where that pressure doesn’t eat everybody up’… It’s not easy,” said the former head coach. That being said, the former AVCA Coach of the Year is beyond confident about his former pupil’s ability to take on pressure. After all, Kelly has already created history as a coach.

During her time with Louisville, Busboom Kelly transformed the Cardinals from conference to NCAA title contenders. In fact, last year, she became the other half of the first all-women NCAA final. And while she fell short of becoming the first female coach to win the national title, John Cook’s former protégé has everything it takes to keep Nebraska on top. Especially after the show of faith from the Huskers.

A confidence boost for John Cook’s successor

While Coach Cook’s departure shocked the volleyball world in late January, his replacement generated excitement in Huskers Nation. After all, it was a homecoming for Dani Busboom Kelly. The Huskers icon won a national title under Cook, served as an assistant coach, and is now his successor. It’s a full-circle moment for the former Louisville coach.

And while the pressure to live to the Huskers’ standard is immense, the entire community’s faith has definitely helped Kelly feel at home. John Cook endorsed the former Cardinals coach as someone he could put his faith in, and even the administration showered Kelly with praise. As per Huskers reporter Lincoln Arneal, Kelly was the first and only choice.

“Dannen called hiring Busboom Kelly a ‘no-brainer… I was fortunate she did say yes.”. wrote Arneal. Yet, it was what the players did that acted as the ultimate confidence boost. Despite John Cook leaving the program, none of the Huskers entered the transfer portal. It’s like they say, ‘Actions speak louder than words,’ and the Huskers had faith in their new head coach.

Harper Murray explained how everyone felt about DBK. “I trust coach with Dani, and I believe that he’s going to put us in the best position possible to win, even if he’s not here,” said Murray. Now, only time will tell if DBK’s Nebraska Huskers can prevail under the pressure.