'No Place Like Nebraska': E60 doc highlights the downside of superstar status in Lincoln

“You guys are not in a program where nobody cares” 

One of the first lines Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball head coach John Cook speaks in the new ESPN E60 documentary No Place Like Nebraska sets the tone for what comes after.  The latest ESPN documentary by Jennifer Karson-Strauss and Madeline Rundlett gives a behind the scenes look at both the good and the bad of John Cook's squad being in the spotlight

Women's sports in general has seen an absolute explosion in popularity over the last few years. One could argue the sector has never been bigger than in 2023. And Nebraska Volleyball has both driven and benefitted from that explosion of interest. Its popularity is right up there with Nebraska football in the state. Thanks in no small part to Cook getting his squad to the top of the sport during a time when the rest of the athletic department has struggled mightily.

However, the documentary wastes no time in teasing that the popularity of the Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball team in this day and age isn't always a positive for a generation of players growing up in the social media era.

Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball E60 doc sheds light on downside of celebrity

No Place Like Nebraska debuts Sunday, August 25, at 5 p.m. on ESPN. Just days ahead of the Huskers openeing their 2024 regular season against Kentucky on August 27. To say the E60 doc is a must watch is an understatement.

There's a little something for everyone included in the hour-long show. Dedicated fans can relive the ride that saw NU beat Stanford for the first time since 2008. That saw them finally beat bitter Big Ten rival Wisconsin, and get off to a not-quite-cinderella but still crazily impressive 27-0 start.

Interspersed between the overhwhelmingly exciting and joyous times are a few quiet reflective times. No Place Like Nebraska gives Husker fans a look at the evolution of John Cook as a head coach. From someone who admittedly was "tough as nails" to someone who understands that his players need a head coach, but also need someone that cares about them.

And then there is the long, painful segments focusing on Harper Murray. Detailing how her family had to overcome the death of her father and then how Harper had to overcome the aftermath of losing the National Championship game. More to the point, had Harper had to deal with "fans" and followers taking the loss worse than she did.

One of the things that No Place Like Nebraska does is not offer excuses for Harper Murray's problems this past offseason, but it does offer an explanation. Anyone who watches the documentary can take that as they will.

Some might still be upset that after all her legal issues this spring, she won't miss a minute of the regular season. But even if you're among those who felt that Cook went a bit too easy on Murray (I was one of those, I'm not sure I'm there anymore) the show goes to lengths to explain why Murray did what she did, and why her head coach handled it the way he did.

"At the end of the day, it's a privilege," Lexi Rodriguez says at one point. "If you want to be on the big stage at Nebraska this is what you have to live with," added Cook.

And yet, it's hard to imagine putting up with the things these Nebraksa Cornhuskers players go through because they are on the biggest of big stages. I won't go into detail what all happens or why. Every fan should check it out. And if you don't come away with a new understanding, then you didn't really watch or didn't really listen.