Replacing Nebraska’s most successful head coach had already been a big deal for Dani Busboom Kelly, but taking over the longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten? That’s a next-level thing DBK inherited—a new title from the former head coach, John Cook!
When Cook announced his retirement from Nebraska after a successful 25 years with NU, he handed over the ball to Dani, saying, “’Everything she was asked to do she would do,’ that’s when I knew she would be a great coach.” Dani had indeed been the star of the sport. She is perfect as a player, as a coach, and as a true Nebraskan, knowing all the positives of the sport that teach the player to learn from the experience. As she said, “The expectation is for these players to have an amazing experience, and usually that leads to success.”
That’s when the Nebraska Volleyball signed a six-figure deal with her in a six-year contract. She started with a base salary of $700,000. On 20 February, Lincoln Arneal of Huskers Illustrated took on X, declaring that DBK not only replaced the head coach of Nebraska but also became the highest-paid among the Big Ten volleyball coaches! She already supplanted Cook, who had his base pay at $750,000 in his 25th year of journey at Nebraska University. Can you believe it? The new HC has already marked her way into the league.
Dani Busboom Kelly not only took over the title of Nebraska head coach from John Cook, but she will also supplant him as the highest paid coach in the Big Ten. See how the rest of the league’s coaches stack up and their unique contract clauses. https://t.co/hgqcvPEtPX
— Lincoln Arneal (@Lincoln_VB) February 20, 2025
While Dani ranks on top as the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten, here are the other four who come on the top 5 list. At no. 2, Kelly Sheffield from Wisconsin secured the place with a base pay of $625,000, followed by Keegan Cook of Minnesota, who receives $425,000. From Ohio State and Illinois, there are Jen Flynn Oldenburg and Chris Thomas, with $400,000 as their base pay. Now, that’s a lot of money.
Well, it could probably be because their contract includes incentives. Like common bonuses for winning a league, qualifying for the NCAA tournaments, and other achievements. For Kelly, it is a private aircraft for her personal use for 10 hours each year! It looks like she is going to fly high now that she dominates Cook’s NCAA league!
Will Dani Busboom Kelly dominate the NCAA?
Nebraska Volleyball has a name that has dominated the sport since time unknown. It’s a historic program that holds so much prestige and value that not anyone can take up its lead. While Cook has served 25 years in the program, he has also brought laurels to Nebraska—the Huskers have won four national championships, and they are the top college volleyball programs in the country! Of course, it needs a leader who can keep up with the same glory, right?
And according to Cook, it was Dani who could be the right fit. He believed it is important to learn lessons as a coach and experience as a player. And while referring to Dani, he said, “She’s paid her dues and understands what it takes. That’s why she’s been so successful.” What could he probably mean by the dues?
Oh! Her journey so far. Playing for the Cornhuskers, both as a setter and a libero, she has her name marked on the Big 12 conference and got the team its 2006 NCAA Championship! And now she leads the very same program with utmost pride and dignity, all set to carry forward Cook’s legacy as he himself dominated the NCAA by winning multiple championships! After all, with a record-breaking paycheck, she is bound to step into his shoes to redefine the glory.
The post Dani Busboom Kelly’s $4 Million Nebraska Deal Helps Her Continue John Cook’s NCAA Domination appeared first on EssentiallySports.