John G. Cook (born April 19, 1956) is a retired American volleyball coach who led the Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s volleyball team from 2000 to 2025. During his 25-year tenure, Cook established himself as one of the most successful volleyball coaches in NCAA history, guiding Nebraska to four national championships (2000, 2006, 2015, 2017) and multiple conference titles in both the Big 12 and Big Ten.
Before Nebraska, Cook served as head coach at Wisconsin (1992–1998) and was an assistant at UC San Diego and Nebraska. With an impressive career record of 883–176 (.834), Cook retired as one of the winningest coaches in college volleyball history.
In this article, we will explore John Cook’s net worth, biography, age, height, weight, career achievements, early life, family, retirement, and more.
John Cook Short Details
| Full Name | John G. Cook |
|---|---|
| Profession | Volleyball Coach |
| Hometown | Chula Vista, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | April 19, 1956 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 68 years old |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 78 kg (172 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Grey |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Education | University of San Diego (BA), San Diego State University (MA) |
| Coaching Career | 1981–2025 |
| Retirement Year | 2025 |
| Spouse | Wendy Cook |
| Children | Lauren Cook, Taylor Cook |
| Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $3 million |
Early Life and Education
John Cook was born on April 19, 1956, in Chula Vista, California. He attended Francis Parker School in San Diego, where he excelled in basketball. He initially played college basketball for the San Diego Toreros but left the team when the program moved to NCAA Division I.
Education:
- University of San Diego – Bachelor’s degree in History (1979)
- San Diego State University – Master’s degree in Teaching and Coaching Effectiveness (1991)
His coaching journey began when he took a geography teaching position at his high school alma mater, which required him to coach volleyball, basketball, and softball—despite having little knowledge of volleyball at the time.
Coaching Career
Early Coaching Career (1981–1991)
- Francis Parker High School (1981–1988):
- Coached girls’ volleyball, won two state championships
- Held a 162–18 record, including a 90-match winning streak
- UC San Diego Assistant Coach (1983–1984):
- Helped UCSD win the 1984 NCAA Division III national championship
- Nebraska Assistant Coach (1989–1991):
- Gained experience at one of the top volleyball programs in the country
Wisconsin Head Coach (1992–1998)
- Became Wisconsin’s 5th head coach in 1992.
- Led the Badgers to six NCAA tournament appearances.
- Won the 1997 Big Ten Championship, earning Big Ten Co-Coach of the Year.
- Compiled a 161–73 (.688) record, making Wisconsin a national contender.
In 1999, he returned to Nebraska as Associate Head Coach, preparing to take over from legendary coach Terry Pettit.
Nebraska Head Coach (2000–2025)
John Cook took over as Nebraska’s head coach in 2000, immediately making an impact by leading the Huskers to an undefeated 34–0 season and a national championship in his first year. Over the next 25 years, he established Nebraska as the premier program in NCAA volleyball.
Key Achievements at Nebraska:
- 4 National Championships – (2000, 2006, 2015, 2017)
- 12 Final Four Appearances – (2000, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- 9 Big 12 Titles – (2000-2002, 2004-2008, 2010)
- 6 Big Ten Titles – (1997, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024)
- AVCA National Coach of the Year (2000, 2005, 2023)
- Inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame (2017)
- Coached 72 AVCA All-Americans and 5 Olympians.
Record-Breaking Moments:
- Nebraska sold out 337 consecutive home games (longest streak in NCAA women’s sports).
- In 2023, Nebraska hosted 92,003 fans at Memorial Stadium, the largest-ever attendance for a women’s sporting event.
Retirement in 2025
- On January 29, 2025, Cook officially announced his retirement.
- He was succeeded by Dani Busboom Kelly, a former Nebraska player and coach.
John Cook’s Net Worth and Income Sources (2025)
John Cook has an estimated net worth of $3 million, accumulated from his long and successful coaching career. Below is a breakdown of his earnings:
| Source of Income | Details |
|---|---|
| Coaching Salary | Estimated $675,000 per year (at Nebraska) |
| Bonuses & Incentives | Bonuses for NCAA titles & Final Fours |
| Endorsements | Sponsored by Adidas (Nebraska’s official sponsor) |
| Public Speaking | Volleyball coaching seminars & clinics |
| Book Sales | Authored volleyball coaching books |
Despite retiring, Cook will likely continue to earn from public speaking, consulting, and mentorship roles.
Family and Personal Life
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Wendy Cook (Former All-American Setter at SDSU) |
| Daughter | Lauren Cook (Former Nebraska Volleyball Player) |
| Son | Taylor Cook |
| Pet | Owns a horse named “Bud” |
Cook’s daughter, Lauren, played for UCLA before transferring to Nebraska, where she finished her career as starting setter.
Lesser-Known Facts About John Cook
- Originally a basketball player before becoming a volleyball coach.
- Had no prior volleyball experience before coaching high school volleyball.
- His Nebraska teams have sold out every home match since 2001.
- Hosted the largest-ever women’s sports event (92,003 fans) in 2023.
- Coached 5 Olympians, including Jordan Larson and Kelsey Robinson.
- Turned down other coaching offers to remain at Nebraska.
- One of only three coaches to win AVCA National Coach of the Year three times.
- Won an NCAA title in his first season at Nebraska (2000).
- Highly respected mentor to several top coaches, including Dani Busboom Kelly.
- Inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2017.
Conclusion
John Cook leaves behind a legendary legacy in college volleyball, having transformed Nebraska into a powerhouse program. With four national titles, dozens of All-Americans, and record-breaking attendance numbers, Cook is one of the greatest volleyball coaches in NCAA history.
As he enters retirement in 2025, his impact on Nebraska volleyball and the sport as a whole will be remembered for generations.
“This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only.”
