Omaha Supernovas Hire Retired Coach John Cook as GM, Co-Owner

John Cook, the legendary Nebraska volleyball coach with four national championships, has taken on the role of co-owner and general manager of the Omaha Supernovas professional volleyball team. Cook, who retired from coaching in January after a 32-year career, will oversee all team operations including player and coaching staff signings as the Supernovas prepare for the Major League Volleyball free agency period in August and the 2026 season. The Supernovas also named U.S. Olympic volleyball gold medalist Luka Slabe as their new head coach, who will continue his role as assistant coach for the U.S. men's national team while leading the franchise. Team President Diane Mendenhall, who previously worked with Cook at Nebraska, expressed enthusiasm about their reunion and Cook's vision and leadership abilities, noting the team's position as the world's leading professional volleyball franchise. The Supernovas recently transitioned into Major League Volleyball, aiming to build on their recent successes including a 2024 Pro Volleyball Championship and a 2025 regular season title. This new era under Cook and Slabe is seen as a major step forward for professional volleyball in Nebraska and beyond.