Huskers Retain John Cook, He Gets a Raise and a Horse

Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook has inked a new five-year contract. 

NU athletic director Troy Dannen announced Wednesday the recently completed deal runs through Jan. 31, 2029.  Cook will receive an annual salary of $825,000 beginning on Saturday.  The new salary represents a $75,000 annual increase for the four-time national champion head coach. 

In a news release announcing the deal, Dannen said Nebraska is “fortunate to have John Cook leading our volleyball program.”  Cook will also receive a retention bonus of $70,000 on July 1.  In the release, he said he’ll use that money to purchase a horse called No. 415 that was born and bred at the famous Pitzer Ranch in Ericson.  Cook called it “a once-in-a-lifetime performance horse.” 

This past season, Cook guided the Huskers to the NCAA Final and a 33-2 record.  He won national and Big Ten coach-of-the-year honors.