Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook has one of the more interesting contract clauses you’ll see in college sports. Wording in his new deal, which was signed earlier this week, sets money aside for a personal purchase at the coach’s request.
It’s not a car, not a golf membership, not a new home.
Instead, the Cornhuskers‘ national championship winning leader is making his employer buy him a horse!More from Husker Extra:
Instead of his base salary gradually increasing, he has a retention bonus that’s set to be paid on July 1, 2024… Why did Cook opt against that?
Well, he wants a horse.
Seriously.
Rather than having the typical escalation clause in his new deal, which spans five years and pays a base salary of $825K, Cook opted to set aside a “retention bonus” of $70K.
Here’s what he had to say about what he plans on doing with that money.
“When [AD] Troy [Dannen] and I talked about my contract, I proposed that instead of an annual escalating salary that some coaches do, it would mean a great deal to me if the Nebraska Athletic Department would consider supporting me in purchasing a horse out in central Nebraska that I’ve had my eye on,” the coach said.
He already has sights set on one particular pony.
“The horse, called No. 415, was born and bred at the famous Pitzer Ranch in Ericson and is a once-in-a-lifetime performance horse… Troy loved the idea and while they couldn’t specifically write that into the contract, the retention bonus will be used for No. 415. I am honored that Troy was supportive of my idea and it means a lot to me.”
At this point in time, John Cook should get anything he asks for. Already the highest-paid volleyball coach in the country before signing on for that raise, he’s led his program to four national titles, 11 Final Fours, and 13 conference championships.
He filled Memorial Stadium last season with 92K fans in a sold-out match that broke a world record for a women’s sporting event.
Soon, he’ll have a horse to celebrate that success!
Interestingly enough, it wasn’t the only interesting language written into his deal. The new contract also boasts a clause hinting at the end of the NCAA as a governing body.
John Cook has to be over the moon with how negotiations surrounding that extension played out. Now, the focus turns to getting the Cornhuskers back to the national championship!
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