LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dani Busboom Kelly has stepped down as head coach of Louisville Volleyball after an eight-year tenure which saw her lead the Cardinals to two national runner-up finishes, three national semifinal appearances and four ACC championships.
She has accepted the head coaching position at her alma mater, the University of Nebraska, effective immediately. Associate head coach Dan Meske will take over, pending approval of the University of Louisville Athletic Association later this week.
What You Need To Know
- Dani Busboom Kelly has stepped down as head coach of Louisville Volleyball after an eight-year tenure
- She is taking the head coach position at her alma mater, the University of Nebraska, effective immediately
- Longtime associate head coach Dan Meske is set to take over
- Busboom Kelly helped guide UofL to two national runner-up finishes, three national semifinals appearances and four ACC championships
“Card Nation will be forever grateful to Dani for what she did in elevating Louisville Volleyball to be among the nation’s elite programs,” said Josh Heird, University of Louisville director of athletics. “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.”
After taking over in 2017, Busboom Kelly guided the Cardinals to an overall record of 203-44 and a record of 123-21 in ACC play, in addition to 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. I can’t thank the volleyball staff and support staff enough for believing in us and pushing us to dream bigger. I am grateful to Josh Heird and (deputy athletic director) Amy Calabrese for loving the sport of volleyball and for aligning with our vision for Louisville. And thank you to Card Nation! We could not have done anything without you!”
Meske will be the eighth head coach in program history if approved. He brings more than 16 years of collegiate coaching experience, including working alongside Busboom Kelly over the past eight seasons while also serving as an assistant at Nebraska and head coach at Augustana University in South Dakota.
“I am thrilled to promote Dan Meske to the role of head coach," Heird said. “Throughout his tenure, Dan has had several opportunities to leave UofL for other head coaching roles, but he has stayed committed to making UofL one of the elite programs in the country."
"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."
Meske guided Louisville to a pair of national runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2024 as associate head coach while also helping lead the program to three national semifinal berths and four ACC championships. He was named the AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year at the end of the 2022 season.
"I am incredibly proud and humbled to be the head coach of Louisville Volleyball," Meske said. "My eight seasons in the 'Ville have been the best part of my life, and I'd like to thank Josh Heird and Amy Calabrese for this amazing opportunity to continue to serve our athletes."
"There is no one in the country better than Dan Meske to lead Louisville Volleyball,” Busboom Kelly said. “Not only is he an amazing coach, but he is an incredible person who leads with integrity, passion, and love for his players."
Meske joined UofL's staff in 2017. He has helped lead his teams to four national semifinal appearances, 17 NCAA Tournament appearances and eight conference championships over his coaching career.
Connor Smith - Digital Producer
Connor Smith is a digital producer for Spectrum News 1 in Louisville, Kentucky. He joined the team in November 2023 and hails from the Chicago area. In summer 2023, he received his Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern's Medill School in Chicago, where he covered Super Bowl LVII, the Chicago Marathon and other stories around the city.