Troy Dannen reacts to John Cook accepting another job: 'Volleyball's better with John in it'

Troy Dannen knew there were big shoes to fill with John Cook retiring as Nebraska’s volleyball head coach. But now, Cook is back in the sport with a new role.

Cook didn’t go far in-state as he joined the Omaha Supernovas as a co-owner. Cook will serve as a co-owner and general manager of the franchise that just recently joined Major League Volleyball, which formed a new league with Omaha’s former league, the Pro Volleyball Federation.

So while Cook isn’t back in the Big Ten or college volleyball in general, he’s back in the game. Dannen was thrilled for him, but he just doesn’t want to see his former coach on the opposite sideline!

“No, I’m thrilled,” Dannen said. “John and I talked about it probably two or three times over the last couple of months and, you know, volleyball is better with John in it …  I don’t want (him) to coach it in college at any place (though).”

Cook led Nebraska to four national titles over the course of his tenure that spanned 25 seasons. He began his career at Wisconsin (1992-98), making the NCAA Tournament five out of seven seasons.

In addition to his four national titles with the Huskers, Cook won nine Big 12 titles and then six Big Ten titles once Nebraska changed conferences. He was named AVCA National Coach of the Year three times (2000, ‘05 and ‘23).

But now, Cook is back into volleyball, albeit from a different perspective. Still, it’s another massive impact move within the state of Nebraska.

“After more than 30 years of coaching, I knew I wanted the next chapter to be just as impactful and becoming the General Manager of the Omaha Supernovas is exactly that opportunity,” Cook said in a press release. The team called the addition of Cook “the most monumental signing in professional volleyball history.”

The move for Cook reunites him with Team President Dian Mendenhall, who was hired as the Nebraska director of operations in 2000. She was thrilled to bring him aboard.

“I was there with him from the beginning and saw firsthand how he built it into the national powerhouse we see today. Being part of that foundation shaped how we approached building the Supernovas, and we leaned on that same blueprint at the pro level,” Mendenhall said. “His, vision, experience, and winning mentality is unmatched, and I’m thrilled to be working alongside Coach Cook again as he helps elevate Major League Volleyball to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s most elite professional sports leagues.”

New Nebraska head coach Dani Busboom Kelly takes over for Cook this year. The season begins Friday, August 22.