Malek Ben-Musa
Austin Sol FC
Founder and Co-Owner – ‘Path to Pro’
Who or what inspired you to pursue coaching?
As I was growing up and traveling back and forth from North Africa (Libya) and California where I was born, I noticed that smaller kids tended to want to be around me.
Then after we moved to Houston, I had the opportunity to help my little brothers’ team (U6) in an area known for football and not futbol. At first, I just helped the Goalkeeper. Coach White, who was the father of one of the kids on the team, asked me to lead the team after a slow start to the season. He felt that his lack of knowledge with the Beautiful game was slowing the progress and believed that I was better suited to help them. Well, we ended up winning every other game including a championship game 6-0. It fueled me as a young coach to want to learn more and help more. By the time I was 20, I had won a state championship in South Texas club soccer as both a player and a coach.
How has being a United Soccer Coaches member benefited you?
It helped me in so many ways that it would be hard to quantify. It allowed me to really grow as a person. The basic fact is that it reaffirms all the times I reflect on what, why and how I was coaching. It allowed me to have the courage to say no to those who wanted to just win and not really take care of the players, coaches, staff, referees and parents. It helped me become a better version of myself. I continue to be amazed by the amount of knowledge and experiences that are still out there. Thank you United Soccer Coaches!!
What do you feel has been the hardest part of coaching?
It used to be doing the right thing when everyone else said otherwise (usually it meant trying to win, while doing the right thing, which don’t always go hand in hand). Now, for me it is about ‘managing people’ – because as a leader it takes time, space and effort for everyone in your organization (regardless of their role) to feel like they are in an inclusive environment and develop an intelligent culture which allows them to be free to develop to be their best versions.
How do you measure success with your team?
1. Maximum Effort – 100% Mentally/Psychologically, Emotionally, and Physically- if it wasn’t given then what kept you from that maximum effort – Meta Effort
2. Growth Mindset – truly are you growing from your mistakes or is it a false growth mindset which refers to the superficial understanding and application of growth mindset principles, often leading to misguided practices. It’s the belief that one has a growth mindset, but their actions don’t align with the true tenets of growth mindset.
3. Doing the right thing based on our values, principles, and beliefs regardless of outside noise or the ‘just win baby win’ belief. Winning or getting a great result will be the result of doing the right thing always in our organization and culture.
If applicable, what has been your favorite United Soccer Coaches activity and why?
Ohio University and United Soccer Coaches – Master’s Degree in Soccer Coaching. It helped me reaffirm my values and beliefs, to stand up for what is best for people and that my environment and develop my philosophy as a coach and person which is “Striving for excellence utilizing modern pedagogical methods, tools and resources in a person centric holistic environment based on my values and principles”.