Dani Busboom Kelly says it was in ‘God’s timing’ for her to coach Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Husker nation welcomed Dani Busboom Kelly as Nebraska volleyball’s new head coach on Thursday.

In her first press conference in her new role, she said the program’s values and expectations won’t change under her leadership.

The Huskers “will be in the hunt” for Big Ten and national championships, Busboom Kelly said.

“But I also want out players to leave here just loving the sport of volleyball and loving the game and, you know, be dying to play pro or coach or give back,” she said.

The new coach said it was the right time to come home, with her second baby on the way.

“It was a little bit of God’s timing that this is what our family needed,” Busboom Kelly said.

She praised her predecessor, John Cook, for his “incredible impact” and said he will still be part of the program.

Busboom Kelly played under Cook and later served as one of his assistant coaches.

“He always supported me, and this is just another step of that,” she said.

Asked about the mixed record of Nebraska alumni who have returned as head coaches, she said she has the experience necessary to continue the program’s success.

“This is different,” she said. “I spent a lot of time away from Nebraska. It wasn’t just a couple seasons that were magical. It was a long time, and I learned a lot, and that’s what prepared me to come back and feel confident.”

Busboom Kelly was hired as Louisville’s head coach in 2017.

During her eight-year tenure with the Cardinals, she reached two NCAA championship matches and three NCAA semifinals.