Dream Like a Champion
Wins, Losses, and Leadership the Nebraska Volleyball Way
John Cook
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
Imprint: University of Nebraska Press
Published: 09/2017
Pages: 208
Subject: Sports and Recreation
eBook ISBN: 9781496204844
DESCRIPTION
Since becoming the Nebraska women's volleyball coach in 2000, John
Cook has led the team to four national championships, seven NCAA
semifinal appearances, and the nation's top winning percentage in
women's volleyball. In Dream Like a Champion Cook shares the
coaching and leadership philosophy that has enabled him to become
one of the game's winningest coaches. Growing up in San Diego, Cook
acquired his coaching philosophy from his experiences first as a
football coach, then as a student of the sport of volleyball on the
beaches of Southern California. After a stint as an assistant
volleyball coach at Nebraska, he returned to Nebraska as head coach
in 2000 and won the national championship in his first
season. Even with a bar set so high, Cook saw at Nebraska's
tradition-rich program the potential for even greater growth and
success. He decided to focus on higher expectations, training,
motivation, goal setting, and other ways to build the strongest
teams possible. In Dream Like a Champion Cook shares the
philosophy behind Nebraska's culture of success and reveals how
he's had to learn, evolve, and be coached himself, even in his
fifth decade as a coach. With openness and candor he delivers
insights about his methods and passes along lessons that can be
used by leaders in any field. Cook also shares behind-the-scenes
anecdotes about Nebraska volleyball moments and players—and how he
coaches and teaches his players about life beyond the court.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Cook is a two-time winner of the American Volleyball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year award and was inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017. Brandon Vogel is the managing editor of Hail Varsity magazine and has covered University of Nebraska athletics since 2011. His sportswriting has been featured by FoxSports.com, the Guardian, and CBSSports.com.
REVIEWS
"Great coaches and teachers relentlessly strive for learning and improvement—in their people, in their teams, and in themselves. John Cook's story is permeated with that pursuit: what an innovator! If you crave the 'better,' you'd better read this book."—Karch Kiraly, head coach, U.S. women's National Volleyball Team
"John Cook has accomplished nearly everything a volleyball coach can achieve. He has done this not by focusing just on recruiting great players or the physical skills of his players. In Dream Like a Champion John reveals his relentless quest for better team chemistry, improving communication skills, proper goal setting, and attention to detail—which together result in peak performance."—Tom Osborne, former Husker head football coach, University of Nebraska athletic director, and U.S. congressman
"Courage is the word that comes to mind when I think of Coach John Cook. Over the years I've seen John continually show courage, but never more than when he acknowledged his need to reinvent himself and manage stress. His willingness to share that about himself and to be open to others is one of the most courageous things I've seen done by a coach, or by anyone, really, in all my years as a sports psychiatrist."—Larry Widman, co-founder of Performance Mountain