Tectonic shifts in the Huskers’ camp have the entire country’s attention. After 25 years as the head coach of Nebraska’s volleyball program, John Cook has stepped down. In his absence, the ship will be guided by Dani Busboom Kelly, a Nebraska alum, and the former coach of Louisville. With DBK gone, the Cardinals have bumped up associate head coach Dan Meske to take up the reins, and former stars of the ACC powerhouse are feeling optimistic.

Meske aided Kelly as part of Louisville’s coaching staff for the last eight years. Naturally, when the ex-Huskers athlete was called by her alma mater to be Cook’s successor, Dan was the natural choice to lead the Cardinals program. But the fact that Meske’s promotion came without much scouting for a new head coach isn’t making former athletes of the college lose their minds. It’s quite a different sentiment leading the charge for the beloved veteran.

A post by the official Louisville Volleyball account on X from February 1 celebrated Dan Meske’s new role. Captioned, “A player’s coach through and through,” the post also shared cheering words from past Cardinals players, lauding Meske as the rightful heir to Dani Busboom Kelly’s throne. Along with others, Anna DeBeer, who left the UofL campus after the 2024 season, also admitted her admiration of Dan Meske. DeBeer was one of the biggest driving forces behind Louisville’s runner-up finish in the NCAA D1 Championship, and her words carry some weight, fans would agree.

Citing Dan as “one of the most hard working coaches,” the outside hitter vehemently backed up the decision to appoint him as the new head coach for the Cardinals’ volleyball program. “There is no one I trust more to take over this amazing program and continue the legacy Louisville volleyball is building,” DeBeer stated facts without beating around the bush too much, underscoring that Dani Busboom Kelly can settle in Nebraska without being anxious about whether her departure would cause the Cardinals house’s downfall.

USA National Team middle blocker and UofL All-American honoree Anna Stevenson-Hall had just as good words to spare for her former associate coach. “For sure, the best coach I’ve ever had,” Hall didn’t hesitate to state, despite having played under Dani Busboom Kelly and Dan Meske for only two years. She went on to say, “What makes him special to me is how he really believes in the players at Louisville.” Similar sentiments were also reflected by Amaya Tillman, and Tori Dilfer Stringer, who are both currently pursuing their pro careers after bidding goodbye to the Capitals. But Meske isn’t the only one who has his colleagues’ confidence in his new job.

Onto the next adventure for the Nebraska alum as John Cook hails Dani Busboom Kelly’s appointment

John Cook’s retirement and Dani Busboom Kelly’s joining announcements came almost simultaneously. In his retirement presser, the 4x NCAA winning coach called his successor the “right person” for the job and stated that he would be the Huskers’ biggest cheerleader now that he isn’t their mentor anymore.

“We are excited to welcome Dani and her family back to Lincoln to continue our tradition of excellence in our volleyball program. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership at the highest levels of the sport and I am confident that our program will remain among the nation’s elite for years to come,” said Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen in a statement three days ago.

With the Cardinals, Dani reached the NCAA finals twice and the Final Four thrice. And yet, her family is only stoked to see her return to Nebraska after being out of the state for so long. “I just cried,” she said. “I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me? This is finally real?’ “It’s real, mom,’ I said, ‘OMG.’ I’ve been in tears, off and on, the whole time,” said Dani’s mom Bonnie recently.

But will all this support and confidence in her abilities be enough for Dani Busboom Kelly to match up to the legacy that John Cook is leaving behind? Tell us your thoughts in a comment!