Nebraska head coach John Cook is quickly becoming the John Wooden of college volleyball – after all, he and the Cornhuskers have won four national championships.
So when Cook and Nebraska were negotiating Cook's new contract, he asked for the farm — if not the whole farm, then at least one horse.
The two sides eventually agreed to a five-year contract that would pay Cook more than $1 million. He began by thanking athletic director Troy Dannen and then conveying his wishes for the horse.
“I am so grateful to Troy and the university administration for their support and belief in the Husker volleyball team,” Cook said in a statement. “When Troy and I discussed my contract, I suggested that it would mean a lot to me if the Nebraska State Athletic Department would assist me in purchasing a horse for Central Nebraska, which I have my eye on, rather than receiving an annual salary increase like some coaches do.”
“The horse, known as No. 415, was born and bred at Erickson's famous Pitzer Ranch and is the horse of a lifetime. He was purchased as a weaner by Mark Ray and has since been trained by the Ray family. Troy loved the idea and, although we couldn't put it into writing, his retention bonus will be used for No. 415. I am honored and it means a lot to me that Troy supported my idea. We are all looking forward to an exciting 2024 season.”
In other words, Cook wasn't doing anything stupid. Nebraska wasn't doing anything stupid. In fact, Nebraska was doing stupid things.
Outkick's David Hookstead wrote:
“Cook will use his $70,000 retention bonus, due to be paid in early July, towards the acquisition of the horse. Sometimes a man's passion is more important than money, and that appears to be the case here.”
