Now, it’s been a couple of months since head honcho John Cook stepped away from the Huskers’ sideline. But it seems that the Nebraskans are still struggling to say goodbye. But that’s not all. Here’s the wild thing: the former coach still gets immense love from the fans. In his own words, “I’ve received many letters and little gifts from people all over the state just thanking me and how much they enjoyed watching the Nebraska volleyball team.” But that brings us to the question, when exactly did it strike Cook’s mind that it was time to leave? Well, as he recently admitted, it all goes back to one fateful day a few months ago.
To those who follow the Huskers, they know what we are talking about. Yes, it all tied back to that high-stakes Final Four clash: Nebraska vs. Wisconsin. Somewhere between the tension, the intensity, and that bittersweet finish, Cook had that whisper in his head that maybe it was time. But while he was gone from the sidelines, for the fans, he is a Husker for life. He even said, “That’s the greatest compliment for me is that people have connected with our team the last couple of years. And I’m hearing from these people I don’t even know.”
But gratitude isn’t the only thing Cook is about. During a sit-down with Hurrdat Sports, John Cook got real about when the idea of retirement first snuck into his head. When asked, “Was there any part of this past season that you thought to yourself, I could retire or this could be it?”—he didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, I had a moment when we were at Wisconsin. It kind of hit me there. I started thinking about it.” No big lights, no confetti—just a quiet realization in the middle of a regular road trip.
Cook shared that it all started during a routine moment with Lindsay Krause. “Lindsay and I kind of hang out usually after a pre-game meal before a match, and I just told her I said, I don’t know. I’m just having this feeling like, you know, this is—what else is there to do?” He added, “We can win the Big Ten; we can win a national championship, but other than that…” That was when the first seed was planted. No drama, just a soft but honest feeling that maybe the chapter was closing on its own.
So what went down in that epic Nebraska vs. Wisconsin showdown? Oh, just a total Husker masterclass. The No. 3 Nebraska squad steamrolled No. 7 Wisconsin in straight sets. Yep, 3-0, right in front of a hyped-up crowd of 8,743 at the Devaney Center. They clawed through a nail-biting 26-24 win in the first, then turned the heat up to dominate 25-17 in the second.
And even when the Badgers tried to bite back in the third? Nebraska shut that door real fast, rallying from 11-15 to seal the deal 25-21. Taylor Landfair came through with 13 kills, while Andi Jackson and Harper Murray both hit double digits, too. That defense? Absolutely smothering—blocking lanes, diving digs, and just pure hustle.
Classic Husker volleyball magic. But for Coach Cook, the scoreboard wasn’t the only thing ringing loud that night. That win—sweeping Wisconsin for the third time that season, no less, was just one layer. He also started picking up little signs off the court, too. He shared that moments with his family were starting to mean even more.
John Cook reveals the signs that led him to retirement!
Oh man, when John Cook started opening up about those little life whispers nudging him toward retirement, it hit different. In that same convo, the host asked, “What were some of those signs along the way?” and Coach didn’t hold back. “One, the fact Lauren’s getting ready to have another baby and I got a four-year-old granddaughter asking me where I’m at, why am I not there with them—that kind of hit,” he shared.
And just like that, you could feel the heart tug. It wasn’t just about volleyball anymore. No, it was bedtime stories missed, little voices wondering why grandpa wasn’t around, and life moving fast while he was courtside. He said there was a whole “series of things” that happened. Conversations with Danny in Louisville during the holiday break, chats with close friends about what retiring feels like, and those deep talks that stick with you.
But the one that sealed it? It happened in the most Nebraska way ever. “The final one was the retirement home in Ord, Nebraska, when the old guy, as I was walking out—I mean, I can remember it was like 20 minutes ago—he said, ‘Who’s going to be the next coach?’ And I said, Well, the athletic director makes that decision.’ He goes, ‘It’s going to be the Louisville girl.” And boom. One simple sentence from a wise old soul in Ord hit harder than any championship speech.
Even Lauren’s feeling the shift, and it kinda hit out of nowhere. “I saw an article, and it said former Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook, and I thought, ‘Whoa! That sounds weird.” Her dad may have retired back in January 2025, but for Lauren? That reality still hasn’t fully clicked. Coach Cook not coaching? Still feels like a dream someone hasn’t woken up from yet.
The post John Cook Reveals How Wisconsin vs Nebraska’s Final Four Battle Led to Shocking Retirement Decision appeared first on EssentiallySports.
