Dream Like a Champion: Wins, Losses, and Leadership the Nebraska Volleyball Way

By John Cook and Brandon Vogel

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1496201779
• ISBN13: 9781496201775
• Release Date: September 2017
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Dream Like a Champion

This is an excellent coaches book regardless of your sport. Each chapter has a few great take aways. The book covers coach Cooks evolving as a coach from becoming a volleyball coach to winning a national championship. How his coaching and leadership style has moved from old school to the new three dimensional style of coaching he uses today with his players. The book covers his quested to a national championship. The years prior to being a champion and the lesson he had to deal with as a coach. Dealing with success of being on top then trying to staying on top. You will sense the struggles, the lessons and the adjustments he had to make. A must read no matter what you coach, every coach has to conqueror these battles. Pick up the book. A fast read very enjoyable and above all else insightful.