Nebraska Head Coach John Cook becomes highest-paid college volleyball coach with contract extension
Nebraska Volleyball Head Coach John Cook and the Huskers announced a contract extension for the four-time national title winning coach.
Cook’s new contract runs through the 2028 season. He received a $75,000 annual raise, jumping his salary to $825,000. Along with the salary rise, Cook will receive a $70,000 retention bonus on June 1, 2024.
“We are fortunate to have John Cook leading our volleyball program,” Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen said. “He is the most accomplished coach in the nation, and one of the top coaches in the history of American volleyball. John’s expectations are for nothing less than excellence in each and every endeavor, and his record reflects that.
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“His influence within the department, and the leadership he brings across our 24-sport program benefits Cornhusker athletics well beyond just the sport of volleyball. John’s vision has been to establish Nebraska as a national leader in advancing and promoting the sport of volleyball, and this extension certainly represents the successful outcome of that vision.”
One of Cook’s most valued requests while discussing his contract extension with Dannen was getting help to purchase a high-performance horse. The horse, called No. 415, was born and bred at the famous Pitzer Ranch in Ericson, Cook said in his statement.
While Dannen didn’t sign for the horse, he provided a $70,000 retention bonus to help Cook purchase the horse.
Cook becomes the highest paid college volleyball coach, again
In 2023, Cook earned $978,750 in total compensation, including his $750,000 salary. He received bonuses for winning the Big Ten Championship and the National Title match.
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The three-time AVCA Coach of the Year is now the highest-paid college volleyball coach. He surpassed Texas Head Coach Jerritt Elliott, whose annual salary is $800,000. Cook is the second-highest-paid women’s athletics coach at Nebraska. Women’s Basketball Coach Amy Williams receives a $950,000 annual salary.
Kentucky Coach Craig Skinner, the 2021 National title winner, earns $475,000 annually. The 2020 National title winner, Wisconsin Head Coach Kelly Sheffield, has a $474,445 base rate. Mary Wise, Florida’s Head Coach of 32 years, earned $495,233 in 2022.
Cook and Elliott’s annual salaries are far and away from the other coaches in college volleyball.
In his 24 seasons at Nebraska, Cook has won four national championships, 11 NCAA Final Four appearances, nine Big 12 titles and four Big Ten titles. NU has a 689-100 record with Cook at the helm.
Nebraska’s Head Coach, who is 68 years old, has received many questions about when he will retire. His answer is typically when coaching isn’t fun anymore. He has committed to stay with the Huskers for another five seasons.
