John Cook is back for his second year with the Omaha Supernovas professional volleyball team, and he learned a lot in 2026.
The Supernovas’ general manager and co-owner said as much ahead of the 2027 season.
“You have to be really flexible as general manager working with the Supernovas team,” Cook told Hurrdat Sports. “We always are trying to be one step ahead of everything going on, but there’s a lot of excitement for it. I think the biggest thing is just having a growth mindset and being able to adapt and adjust.”
Last season, the Supernovas fired head coach Luka Slave in the midst of a six-match losing streak and with six matches remaining. However, they finished their season with a 14-14 overall record and advanced to the Major League Volleyball championship before falling to the Dallas Pulse in five sets. Cook described the season as a “documentary.”
“It was a tough year,” Cook said. “Not everything went smooth, and not everything is always going to go smooth, but in a professional world things change, and players, I think, have a little bit more say in things. You have to be able to adapt and adjust, and we did that.”
Omaha did so, then quickly went to work after the season ended. The Supernovas hired Chris McGown as their next head coach in May. Cook and McGown have known one another for years, going back to Cook’s time as Nebraska’s head volleyball coach when McGown served as his consultant. Cook said McGown’s resume was appealing.
“He won the championship with LOVB two years ago, so he’s been around the pro volleyball game,” Cook said. “He’s coached men, he’s coached a lot of the USA teams, so I think he’s going to be a great fit, and we’re really excited.”
McGown brings a lot of coaching experience to the team, but he also understands the new landscape of coaching. In the past, teams were typically led by coaches. Now, they’re more player led with coaches putting an emphasis on building relationships with their athletes.
“Coaches today have to be able to inspire and motivate players from all different backgrounds,” Cook said. “Chris has coached overseas, so he knows the international game. He worked with Netherlands woman, he coached in Japan professionally, men, so he gets the international part with the American part. So I think there’s a lot of skill and wisdom that goes with being a player’s coach now.”
One player that may help the Supernovas in 2027 is Kami Miner. The setter joined the team during free agency after spending one year playing in Italy.
“I think she’s excited,” Cook said. “She got great experience in Italy, and I think she’s playing behind one of the best setters in the world in Italy. Now, she’s got a chance to come and run her own program.”
The former Stanford Cardinal is joining a Supernovas team that re-signed six players from last year’s squad. They also signed nine new additions that bring a lot of experience.
“These older players have been through the worst, they’ve played at the highest levels, they’ve played on their national teams, and they’re pros,” Cook said. “They get it, and they’re all business. They want to come here and win, but they’re also great people.”
These women have helped expand the sport across the world while making a difference in mothers’ and daughters’ lives. The former coach said he’s enjoyed seeing the sport grow.
“I can’t tell you how many people, when I’m back in Nebraska and I travel around or I’m in the airport, come up and tell me they’re so proud to have gotten Supernovas season tickets,” Cook said.
“You’ve got all these young girls dreaming of being Supernovas. I see how they mob our players afterward, and they’re wearing the Supernovas gear, so it’s pretty cool to see what’s happening in professional volleyball.”
Professionally isn’t the only area the sport’s expanded. Although Supernovas fans pack the CHI Health Center for matches, volleyball fans across the state are taking over arenas in support of all Nebraska’s teams.
“I think it’s because you got Supernovas, and they’re successful, Huskers, Creighton, University of Nebraska-Omaha,” Cook said. “You’ve got the Division II schools, Wayne State and Kearney are really good, Concordia was ranked number one (in NAIA). Then you’ve got all these great high school teams, so it’s not just Nebraska volleyball, it is every level in the state is really good and performing on a national level.”
The Supernovas will look to succeed in 2027 with some new faces under a new head coach and with four additional teams in the league. Cook said he’s looking forward to seeing more fans next year.
“The Supernovas do a great job of promoting and putting on an entertaining match,” Cook said. “The level of play is really good, and I think people are really going to love this team.”
