Ben Mallue was named assistant coach of the FIU men’s soccer team on March 3, 2017. Mallue joins the Panthers’ coaching staff after spending the past eight seasons at St. John’s University, a member of the BIG EAST Conference. During his time with the Red Storm, Mallue helped lead St. John’s to four NCAA Tournament appearances as well as two BIG EAST Tournament crowns.
Mallue was instrumental in the program’s recruiting efforts, both domestically and internationally, and has established a reputation for extensive player development of the student-athletes that he recruited for the Red Storm. He coached or recruited 13 players that have gone on to professional careers, including the No. 13 overall pick in the 2015 MLS Super Draft, two players with U.S. National Team Camps and two players as part of the El Salvador National Team. In addition, 14 of Mallue’s recruits went on to earn BIG EAST individual honors and, as a team, St. John’s earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award each season that Mallue was on staff.
During his time in Queens, Mallue also oversaw the training of the St. John’s goalkeepers. He coached four-year starter Rafael Diaz, the program’s all-time career-leader with 32 shutouts, who was signed out of college to a professional contract by USL PRO squad Orlando City SC, and two-year starter Jordan Stagmiller who signed with USL PRO squad Arizona United SC.
Prior to his hiring as an assistant coach, Mallue served the program as a graduate assistant for the 2009 season. As a senior, Mallue was a member of a Red Storm squad that went 19-3-3 and advanced to the 2008 NCAA College Cup.