Dani Busboom Kelly, a former Nebraska volleyball star and successful head coach at the University of Louisville, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball team. Her hiring follows the retirement of John Cook, who led the team to four national championships over a remarkable 25-year tenure.
Busboom Kelly’s contract with Nebraska is a six-year, $4.575 million agreement, reflecting both her impressive coaching record and the university’s commitment to maintaining its volleyball excellence. In her first year, she will receive a base salary of $700,000, with annual increases of $25,000, culminating in an $825,000 salary by the contract’s end in 2031.
Beyond the base salary, Busboom Kelly’s contract includes performance-based incentives designed to reward success on the court. She stands to earn $50,000 for winning the Big Ten Conference Championship and $100,000 if named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Coach of the Year. Additional bonuses include $50,000 for reaching the NCAA Final Four and $100,000 for securing a national title.
A notable feature of her contract is the automatic one-year extension clause. Each time the Huskers advance to the Final Four, an additional year will be added to her contract, accompanied by the standard $25,000 base salary increase. This provision underscores the university’s dedication to long-term success and stability within the volleyball program.
For context, Busboom Kelly’s compensation represents a significant increase from her previous position at Louisville, where her base salary was $400,000 through 2028. Her Nebraska salary also aligns with the program’s stature, as former head coach John Cook earned $825,000 before his retirement.
Busboom Kelly’s return to Nebraska is both a personal and professional milestone. A native of Cortland, Nebraska, she was the starting libero on Nebraska’s 2006 national championship team and served as an assistant coach during the 2015 national title run. Her leadership at Louisville transformed the Cardinals into a national powerhouse, reaching two NCAA Championship matches and securing four ACC titles.
Her appointment marks a new era for Nebraska volleyball, combining her deep-rooted connection to the program with a proven track record of success. Fans and stakeholders eagerly anticipate her contributions as she aims to uphold and enhance the legacy of excellence established by her predecessors.
