Dani Busboom Kelly: Nebraska volleyball means a lot to people. Winning is very important in the state, super important, and we feel it when we don't win, but it is a game, and it's bringing so much more to people, to ourselves, to each other than just wins and losses.

David Cota: Welcome back to The Vault, where we unlock stories that matter. I'm your host David Cota. I'm joined by Dani Busboom Kelly, the head coach of Nebraska volleyball. She's had quite a first year with the Huskers, if you don't mind my sharing a few of the accolades. Dani was named 2025 Big Ten Coach of the Year. Congratulations.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Thank you.

David Cota: The team had a 33-game win streak, set a program record for hitting percentage .351. That's amazing. You know, one of the things that's been real impressive is the level of stability and consistency with the program and the team and coaches. Congratulations on a successful year one and thanks for being here with us today.

Dani Busboom Kelly: I appreciate that. Good to be here.

David Cota: So, your story is a unique one, a Nebraska kid that now is leading the Nebraska volleyball program. Do you mind maybe just telling us that story and a bit of the path that took you through Nebraska and back to the head coaching job?

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yeah, sure. You know, I grew up in a small town south of Lincoln and played all the sports growing up, but kind of being from Nebraska as a young girl, you gravitate towards volleyball. So that was my favorite sport and I committed to play volleyball at Nebraska I think when I was a sophomore and spent four years, and then kind of decided I wanted to get into coaching and got my first coaching job at the University of Tennessee, spent a couple years there, a year at Louisville, a year back at Nebraska for five years as an assistant, and then eight years at Louisville as a head coach, and now I'm back here after one year.

David Cota: So, you played for John Cook and then coached with John Cook.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yes, both.

David Cota: Yeah, and now have succeeded John Cook.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yep.

David Cota: Yeah, yeah. It's got to be a special relationship for you.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yeah, you know, just going through the growth and seeing each other change. You know, I mean, he's seen me as a 15-year-old and now as a 40-year-old, and you know I've seen all the different sides of him — from you know, he recruited me, he coached me, I worked for him, and then he turned the reins over to me.

David Cota: Yeah, excellent. Being both a player in the program and now being the head coach of the program, how does that influence the way you lead?

Dani Busboom Kelly: I feel like all of my experiences influence the way I lead, not necessarily just at Nebraska. I do think being a player and an assistant coach here, you know there's a lot of comfortability with the program, with the athletic department. It makes it easier to kind of find your path immediately. You know, when I got to Louisville, it took a little bit longer, just because I was new and didn't know that much about the program. But I think that has been huge. But I also understand what it means to be a part of this program, what it means to the state. I think I can explain that to recruits. I go about my day knowing that, and a lot of what I do is leading by example and modeling behavior that I want my players to behave. So, just having such a familiarity with the program and the people, it makes a big difference.

David Cota: Was there a point as a player where coaching became an idea that you thought might be a future path for you professionally?

Dani Busboom Kelly: I do think when I switched positions from Setter to Libero, I really realized I have a lot to offer. Playing two positions at a high level, your knowledge of the game expands and you see things a different way. And that's maybe what sealed the deal. I always kind of thought maybe I'd want to coach, but didn't know for sure, really, until my senior year.

David Cota: I've heard John tell that story about you and your switch from Setter to Libero, and I'd imagine in the same way you say a lot of experiences have prepared you for head coach and leading, that would certainly be one of them, I would imagine, in terms of how you relate to the players and decisions that you and your coaching staff have to make throughout a year.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yes, definitely. It makes it very relatable and you know, real when you're talking to a recruit and a player about doing something out of their comfort zone and that you can be successful.

David Cota: Is there a way that you and your coaching staff describe the culture that you're trying to promote and build within the team, or does it change based on the moment and the pieces that you have in a given year?

Dani Busboom Kelly: Not necessarily. You know, we don't talk about it the same way all the time. I do think it changes team by team and leader, you have different leaders, and sometimes younger teams, older teams. But again, I talk to our staff a lot about modeling behavior. I don't want the managers to be doing all the cleaning up every day. We all need to be doing that. There's no like hierarchy. And that's, I think, really important for me and all the programs that I've been a part of and have been able to lead is I don't want it ever to feel like a hierarchy.

David Cota: Everyone's in it together.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Absolutely. And then the accountability you know, that just becomes a lot more natural, and people buy in a lot quicker.

David Cota: Yes, absolutely. I mentioned in the intro the stability of both the coaching staff and the players, in an era where the transfer portal is so present with so many sports. You've been able to keep the team connected and have not had a player enter the portal. What do you attribute that to? When you think about that, how do you reconcile that reality?

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yeah, honestly, I think it's a lot because of the resources at Nebraska. You're playing against the best every day. So even if you're not a starter, you can feel yourself getting better and better and improving. And most great athletes, that's what they want to feel and see is that they're changing and improving, their game is evolving. And then outside the court, you know, Nebraska has everything you could ever want, as far as resources, academics, meals, sports psychologists, you name it, we have it all, and I think we do it at a super high level.

David Cota: Pretty good place to play volleyball.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yes, for sure.

David Cota: Yeah, so recognizing that's a big reason why the team has been able to stay together.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yeah, I think so.

David Cota: As you came in a little over a year ago and needed to begin the process as the head coach — building relationships with the players, beginning to set the expectations that were important to you — how did you go about that? How do you begin to develop that trust that's necessary to lead a team as you and the coaching staff do?

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yeah, honestly, it just takes time. I don't think there's a secret to it, or like, oh, we had this meeting and now we all trust each other. That's really unrealistic. So, I think it's time, one-on-one conversations, and again, just showing up the same every day. If you know, I can be myself and be consistent with who I am, I think that will help our team trust me and at least want to get to know me, to see if they want to trust me. If I come in and I'm different all the time, I think that's where trust can break down. So being really consistent and sticking to who I am was very key for year one. And now year two already feels like there's a better level of relationships and communication, and I understand the team a little bit more. So, I'm excited for this year and kind of the little changes I can make as a coach and a leader.

David Cota: And I think that point you've made around consistency and leading by example is so important. Being authentic to who you are and being consistent is what builds trust over time.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yeah, absolutely.

David Cota: Yeah. You were at a client event that we hosted last year in the Champions Club, and you were talking about an approach that you take to communication and feedback with the players that is very open, that oftentimes you'll give feedback openly, so everyone is aware of where a certain player stands or what it is that you're coaching them on, so as to not create dynamics or misunderstanding. Talk a bit about that approach and the philosophy behind being that transparent with the team.

Dani Busboom Kelly: I just never want our team or players to feel like they're guessing what I'm thinking or they're assuming anything. I try to stay ahead of that as much as possible, you're not going to totally stay ahead of it, but just being open with them. Again, in group settings, you know if there's a position battle and we're trying to figure out who's going to play, who's going to start the next game, trying to have that conversation with both players — not we're just gonna have a conversation with player A and player B. If we can talk to them both, then I think there's an understanding with each other, like, I'm not going through this alone. It's like, okay, we're both actually going through this, and then they also understand the struggle that we have. So, I think as a coach and a leader, you need to also have a level of vulnerability.

David Cota: One hundred percent, yeah.

Dani Busboom Kelly: And that's part of it — just having those open conversations in front of multiple people, not just one-on-one all the time.

David Cota: That's really good. So, you talk about the resources that Nebraska has, which are amazing and certainly at the top of the class for college volleyball. Skill and talent is necessary, but there are a number of intangibles or characteristics that I'd imagine you are looking for when you're recruiting a player into the program. Beyond skill, what is it that you're looking for in a player that gives you confidence they'll be a good fit with the Nebraska program?

Dani Busboom Kelly: I think that varies by position and player and what you need in that certain year. But I do think the more college athletics evolves with NIL and rev share and the resources, you really want players that love the game and just love to play. And if you have players on your team that are doing it because their parents want them to, or only for the money, or because they just want to be a part of Nebraska, they're not going to last. You know, and so if they really love volleyball and love competing, I think that's number one. But on top of that, we look for the cliche things — who is gritty, who has you know maybe had to maybe fight for some things in their life and I think those all matter as well, but nothing is a deal breaker.

David Cota: Yeah. So, a lot of times I'll hear you say, "you know we just need to go for it," or a player will say, "I need to be in the mindset where I just go for it." Is that a description of part of the culture or part of the mindset you try to instill in the players?

Dani Busboom Kelly: I think the fear of failure and you know just not being scared and getting our team to understand that at the end of the day, it is a game. And I know I'm very aware: Nebraska volleyball means a lot to people, winning is very important in the state, super important, and we feel it when we don't win. But it is a game, and it's bringing so much more to people, to ourselves, to each other than just wins and losses.

David Cota: Yeah, when you're talking with coaches and they're offering you a compliment for your team, what words or what description could they use in complimenting your team that really makes you proud as a head coach?

Dani Busboom Kelly: I think playing with joy, where it looks like they're playing for each other. You know, just playing free. I think all those come to mind. You know I think that's different than maybe other schools. At Louisville, they would say, "you guys play with a chip on your shoulder," and we really embraced the underdog mentality. Can't really do that at Nebraska. So, now it's like I want them to be playing free and enjoying it, so the fans can relate to them and see that they're playing without that pressure and that fear.

David Cota: Yeah. You mentioned that you committed to Nebraska as a sophomore, and I know that in volleyball in particular, that can be the case where the athletes are young when they're committing to a program. Yet you also were a multi-sport athlete. Do you encourage that amongst your players if in fact it is something that they want to do?

Dani Busboom Kelly: Definitely. I do think it's harder now, even than it was back when I was in school — which wasn't that long ago — but I definitely encourage it. You just kind of see it less and less. Most of our recruits have played multiple sports for sure up until their freshman year, then a lot of them might transition into one. But if they want to do high school basketball or track, I think it's great. You don't want to burn them out, but there are so many amazing opportunities in volleyball and all sports now. So, if you're going to do basketball, you might be giving up some elite camps or some USA opportunities. So, it is a little bit more of a balancing act than it was, because back in the day, high school was really your only competition. Now there's Under Armour All American, there's USA Volleyball, there's Adidas — there are so many different, really amazing experiences that a lot of players will decide to do that instead of playing multi sports.

David Cota: Yeah, that makes sense. You mentioned NIL, NIL has brought a lot to the game. It certainly has recognized the value of the athletes and they're able to monetize their name, image, and likeness in really good ways. I have to imagine it's brought a dynamic into the locker room as well that is important to manage. How do you manage the reality of NIL and the fact that some athletes are more marketable or have a different kind of approach to brand building than others, and ensure that doesn't become a drawback for team chemistry?

Dani Busboom Kelly: I think we're still entering that phase in our sport. It's not quite to where you hear the numbers and stories of basketball, football, and even women's basketball, but we're entering it. So, it's something we're constantly talking about. But again, I'll go back to just Nebraska in general and the resources — you come here and you know that you're going to be rewarded for what you're doing. And, you know, if you're playing more and you have a bigger role and you're working hard, you're going to be rewarded more. Also, we have players that have very small roles that are killing it in their brand building. You know, Macy Bosinger just graduated, but she was one of our most followed players who had a very limited role, and I think she's just being an influencer right now because she has that type of following and she can monetize it. So, just being a part of our program already puts you at a level that I don't think anybody else can touch in the entire country. Now, what you're rewarded for or the work you do on the court will vary year to year. But again, having pretty transparent conversations, but also making sure that we allocate our resources so everybody is appreciated, I think is important. There's a lot of programs, especially in volleyball right now, that are just rewarding a couple of players or these handful, where again, we're lucky at Nebraska that we can reward everybody, and then as they build their brands, they can make so much money on their own. You know and then hopefully their roles on the court will translate to more resources, but it's hard.

David Cota: It's a new dynamic.

Dani Busboom Kelly: It's going to get way tougher for us. It seems fairly simple right now, but I know in one year, it's probably going to be completely different.

David Cota: Yeah. The expectations that come with the program as you mentioned are high — just naturally high, from the history of the program and also just the expectations that you and the coaching staff set and that the team sets. How do you help the team manage with those expectations in the midst of a season and ensure that it's still positioning them to give their best?

Dani Busboom Kelly: We always work hard to keep it light and fun and mix things up and keep our players on their toes a little bit with what we're doing in practice. Also, we want practice to be as competitive as games. Of course, every coach does that, but we, I think we do a great job of it and so the games hopefully feel a little bit easier than even our practices. But it's a battle at Nebraska. I, you know, forgot that being away for eight years. We had our own expectations at Louisville that were amazing, and we built that and we earned the right for those expectations. So, my perspective might be a little bit different because it wasn't just given to me at Louisville right when I got there, it was built. And, again, communicating with the players that that's why they come here and I think it's really important in the recruiting process to start talking about that early.

David Cota: Yeah. Appreciating the right to have those expectations is a big part of it. Because you built that at Louisville so the team and the process to get there as you were working through it, you might have a stronger appreciation for the expectations when they show up, as opposed to feeling the weight of those expectations.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Oh yeah and it's very difficult to win at a high level in any sport.

David Cota: And to remain there.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Very difficult and I got to the point at Louisville where people were saying, "we expect you guys to be in the Final Four." I don't think you understand how hard that is. And then I've had fans here tell me after last season, "I hope you have a rebounding year this year" and I'm like –

David Cota: You're like thanks.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Thank you, yeah, I know, going undefeated.

David Cota: 20 and 0 in conference. Yeah.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Barely losing a set. We are going to rebound.

David Cota: We're scraping by. We're scraping by.

Dani Busboom Kelly: And I know if we didn't win it all and make the Final Four, there were a lot of reasons for that. But it's pretty funny hearing that sometimes.

David Cota: And part of it is, to your point, just acknowledging it, owning it and saying, all right, how do we ensure that we still see this as a privilege to have earned this expectation?

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yes, you know and as a leader, especially at Nebraska, you don't want to add to those expectations and pressure and fear of failure. You want to try to diminish that, take some of that away.

David Cota: Yeah - keeping the team on their toes — sometimes I'm sure as a coaching staff there are things you can do intentionally. Sometimes you just have circumstances. This year in the spring, you weren't able to practice at Devaney. It's getting renovated. What did that do in terms of pushing the team out of their comfort zone a little bit?

Dani Busboom Kelly: It was great. We also flipped practice time, so we practiced in the morning, which Nebraska's never done. I've done that a few times as a head coach, but our team really enjoyed it, and it felt like they were dialed in every day. We didn't have anybody forget things. You know it was very – you know some of the issues you think you might have with that, we didn't even have any. So, it ended up being an awesome spring. It was good for us. It's good to be challenged mentally and on our toes. We're going to have an even more challenging summer with Devaney being under renovation, with camps and our players working on getting reps and training on their own. Where are they going to do that? But I do think it'll pay off. We're very comfortable at Nebraska — we've already talked about all the resources and what we have and sometimes it's good to be uncomfortable.

David Cota: I heard Jalen refer to the start of the season as a "traveling circus," and you are going to be all over the place. You're playing at AT&T Stadium, playing at T-Mobile in Vegas, you're going to be in Chicago, playing at Wrigley Field. Is part of that as well to just early in the year push the competition level even higher and also be out of your comfort zone a bit?

Dani Busboom Kelly: For sure. And I think there's a little misconception about some of these events. These are huge opportunities for our sport and Nebraska needs to be at the forefront of some of those. We want to. Plus, they're providing resources for our program, but they're all very different. AT&T is exhibition games — that's a company that has done a lot of reality TV, so we don't know what this is going to be like, but I think it was worth taking a risk, especially because it's exhibition and it's a glorified practice, to be honest. It doesn't count for anything, we can play a lot of people, we can get better. But the fact there's money on the line makes it a little bit more serious than an exhibition. So, it'll be super fun. And then we go to Vegas —

David Cota: Playing at AT&T Stadium, I mean, that'll be unbelievable.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Unbelievable. Then we go to Vegas for a renewed rivalry with Texas, and that's a big deal to both of our programs. Jared, Elliot and I worked together to like hey, let's get this going a little bit, and let's try to do it in Vegas. So that's kind of how that came about. It's a neutral site but a big arena, have a big time feel that you want to experience in the non-conference, so our players — especially ones that might not have played a lot last year — feel the pressure in a big moment. And then Wrigley Field is a Big Ten SEC challenge that we had no control over. So that's like, hey, they want to do this, these are the teams that are doing it, and we're fired up for that too. You know, again, Wrigley Field is a very iconic venue. They're all different, and some are out of our control, some – they're just very very different events, very different reasons behind them, but all unique and great for volleyball.

David Cota: And all of that before your home opener.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yes!

David Cota: So, you will be all over the place.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Well Devaney is under construction, so we needed a little bit of a buffer.

David Cota: Pushing capacity up to 10,000, is that right?

Dani Busboom Kelly: Yeah, and we just want to make sure that when we go into Devaney, it's ready. I know our team room, locker room and all that is getting renovated, which is overdue. So, our players are going to be really happy. I know that.

David Cota: Yeah, that'll be really good. The sport of college volleyball has really been on a rise over the past several years. I was able to go with our family and my two daughters and our son to the volleyball match at Memorial Stadium, and now these larger venue events that are playing out. I appreciated you saying Nebraska should be a part and is a part of driving that. Does the team feel that moment where volleyball just continues to move more and more into the prime position?

Dani Busboom Kelly: I don't really know — I haven't talked to them about it. But they are friends with athletes from all over the country of all sports, so they're not surprised. They hear stories. They love it, but they hear stories from their friends and competition, but also men's basketball players, football players. So, I don't think they're shocked by any of it or feel like, "oh, I can't believe we're doing this." It's more excitement and gratitude for the opportunities.

David Cota: Yeah, that's really good. Let's talk about the team a bit. You went through spring, which obviously gives you an opportunity to play different rotations, put players in different positions. What did you learn and what should we expect come fall?

Dani Busboom Kelly: It's a lot of the same players, to be honest. We're lucky to have a core returning back. We have some great battles. I feel like we're deeper than last year, which is crazy to say. Our freshmen were awesome. I think bringing in young players that are just so eager always adds a dynamic to the team. So having them here in January was huge for us, and we're healthy, which is super important. But I think you'll see a lot of players this year, not just seven or eight, which will be great.

David Cota: Dani, thanks for joining us today. Good luck in the upcoming season. We'll all be cheering you on. At FNBO we're proud of our partnership with Husker Athletics, and we appreciate your time today.

Dani Busboom Kelly: Thank you.

David Cota: And for all the listeners, thanks as well for joining us. Until next time, David Cota, with The Vault. Thank you.