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I've traveled the world playing professional volleyball and had the privilege of representing my country at three different Olympics.

Truthfully, there probably isn't a corner of this globe I haven't seen, but there's only one place I'll ever call home.

Nebraska.

When I gave John Cook a call about three or four years ago, kicking the tires about coming back to Nebraska volleyball to coach, I wasn't sure if he had a spot for me, but I knew I'd do whatever it took to get back to the place where it all started for me. 

Honored and humbled to be joining the staff! Grateful for an opportunity to grow and learn! 🤍 https://t.co/cVCbuofH9Q

— Jordan Larson (@JordanLarson10) June 13, 2023

When I got hired this past June as an assistant, I asked myself a series of questions, starting with, how can I make an impact on this program that has given so much to me?

What could I have done differently during my time at Nebraska that would have benefited my career?  

How can I help the girls make the most of their potential?

That's ultimately what led me to coming back to Nebraska.  

Yes, I love this state, program, and community with all my heart, and coaching will be a great transition for me at this point in my career, but I'm here to give back.

My goal for Nebraska volleyball is the same one I had when I stepped foot on campus as a freshman in 2005.

To make this program better than it was yesterday. 

I got my feet wet in the last few years by joining the coaching staff at Midland University and helping out at a local high school, but coaching Nebraska volleyball is a completely different ballgame. 

If I was going to be successful, I knew I had to take a different kind of approach to the position.

With that being said, as simple as it sounds, I really went into this first year with an observing mindset.  

I wanted to take in as much information as I could before I really coached or spoke to the team.

Not only did I think this would benefit me, but I believed it would benefit the players, too.

To be honest with you, some of the greatest coaches I've ever had the privilege of playing for allowed the athletes to problem-solve themselves.

I think there's something to be said about getting the players to think critically about the game, then finding that balance of adding things here and there as a coach.

This "less is more" approach to observing and learning about the game from the coaching perspective helped me learn a lot about myself and what I want to bring to the table in the future at this position.

The last thing I wanted to do was walk into practice and pretend like I had all the answers, so I'm thankful to have learned so much in this first year under the tutelage of the best in Coach Cook and the rest of the coaching staff. 

I'm in a bit of a unique scenario where I'm a full-time coach and still actively playing and training to hopefully make the Olympic team this summer, so I'm wearing two hats right now, trying my best to balance everything. 

It can be a little much at times, but I'm taking the time to enjoy every minute because these are precious opportunities that aren't going to last forever.

As an active player, I'd be lying if I said there weren't times I'd give anything to put that scarlet red jersey on one more time, but I also feel like I've given everything I have to this sport.

When I have my coaching hat on, my playing career isn't something I'm focusing on, and that's what I want the players to understand as well.

I've been blessed to accomplish some amazing feats in this sport, but at the end of the day, I'm just Jordan, right? I'm not better than anyone else, and I want the girls to feel comfortable approaching me and having an authentic conversation with the understanding that I love and care about them and always want what's best for them.

Throughout my career, getting to know the players and coaches outside of the sport on a personal level has been critical to building the chemistry and foundation of success as a team.

I look forward to continuing to develop that type of relationship with the players where we see each other as people and individuals first and volleyball players second. 

Now that I'm back in Lincoln with Nebraska volleyball, there are times when I just sit back and want to pinch myself because it all feels so surreal.

I don't think it's recency bias to say that volleyball has never been more loved in this state than it is right now.  

The running joke was always that "Nebraska's a volleyball state," but that joke is quickly turning into a reality with the talent we're seeing at both the high school and collegiate levels throughout the state.

To be embraced by Husker Nation again is something that means everything in the world to me.  

We all know the fans play such an integral part in making Lincoln the best place in the country to play volleyball, so to be welcomed back with open arms by this community again means more than I'll ever be able to say.

Beyond the fan support, what I love so much about Nebraska volleyball is the culture that's been established here.

While it's true that we have exceptional talent, first and foremost, we have great girls who have bought into the "we, not me" culture here.

As a player, and I can speak from experience on this as well, you're not always going to get what you want.  

But you know what? You can still be a great teammate and show up for your team, which is something you saw in bunches this year.

We came up short in the national championship, but I can't tell you how proud I am of the work we put in this year, both on and off the court, and the selfless character that was on display all season long. 

Looking ahead to next season, I'm excited and intrigued by the challenges that lie ahead.

One of the things I love about coaching is there's always a new problem to figure out with new pieces and moving parts.

I can't wait to get together with the rest of the coaches and do everything we can to bring home another national championship to the best fans and supporters in the country.

There's an old saying that "The people make the place," and it's the players, coaches, fans, and community that have made Nebraska volleyball what it is today.

It was a dream come true to be a part of as a college athlete, and I couldn't be more grateful to continue to live that dream on the sidelines as a coach.