Busboom Kelly leaves Louisville volleyball to become coach at alma mater Nebraska

Dani Busboom Kelly, who led Louisville volleyball to two national runner-up finishes, three national semifinals appearances, and four ACC championships, has accepted the head coaching position at her alma mater, Nebraska.

“Card Nation will be forever grateful to Dani for what she did in elevating Louisville volleyball to be among the nation’s elite programs,” Louisville athletic director Josh Heird said in a statement. “During her tenure, she was an incredible ambassador for the sport, for our athletics department and for the university. We know just what a tremendous person, coach, and leader she is and that it would take something truly special for Dani, Lane and their family to leave us. I want to thank Dani for all she did for us, and we wish her the very best.”

Pending the approval of the University of Louisville Athletic Association later this week, current associate head coach, Dan Meske, will be named Louisville’s next head coach.

If approved, Meske will be the eighth head coach in the program’s history and brings more than 16 years of collegiate coaching experience, including working alongside Busboom Kelly for the Cardinals’ historic rise to national prominence over the last eight seasons, serving as an assistant at Nebraska and as the head coach at Augustana.

“Throughout his tenure, Dan has had several opportunities to leave U of L for other head coaching roles, but he has stayed committed to making U of L one of the elite programs in the country,” Heird said. “I am supremely confident in his ability to lead this program into the future in the same manner he has already helped guide us to where we are today during his time as the associate head coach. Dan is a proven leader, teacher, and program builder that will keep us on a national championship trajectory.”

At Nebraska, Busboom Kelly will replace legendary coach John Cook, who has retired after 25 years leading the Cornhuskers.

Cook led Nebraska to national championships in 2000, 2006, 2015 and 2017, and retires with a career record of 883-176 at Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Busboom Kelly was named Louisville’s head coach in 2017. In her eight seasons, she led the Cardinals to an overall record of 203-44 (.822) and a record of 123-21 (.854) in ACC play, along with the ACC titles and NCAA semifinal appearances.

“Louisville will always hold a special place in my heart,” Busboom Kelly said. “I have loved the athletic department, the city, and most importantly, the people, since I first arrived here as an assistant in 2011. The past eight seasons have been unbelievable, and we have been so proud to be Cardinals. From ACC championships to Final Fours, we accomplished more than I ever dreamed of, thanks to the unwavering trust of our current and former players. ... And thank you to Card Nation! We could not have done anything without you!”