Soccer
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- gmota@central.uh.edu
Gus Mota enters his third season as an assistant coach at the University of Houston. Hired in the spring of 2019, Mota has assisted with the recruiting, goalkeeping and administrative duties. In his first season, Mota helped the University of Houston to their first ever American Athletic Conference tournament appearance. The improvements continued in 2021.
Working mainly with the goalkeepers, Mota's group saw marked improvement during the 2021 season as they allowed only eight goals all year. The group, led by Salma Ghazal and Mikaela Gracia, made 32 saves across the season and notched several shutouts. As a team, the Cougars finished above .500 for the first time in 11 years as they defeated UCF for the first time in program history to close out the season.
Mota comes to Houston after spending the last four seasons as the Head Coach at Greensboro College. Under the tutelage of Mota, the Pride posted back-to-back 10-win seasons in his first two years as a Head Coach. In 2017, Mota led Greensboro College to a 16-3 record, followed by a 17-1 record in 2018 that included a 16-0 mark during the regular-season. The Pride closed out conference play with a 7-0 record, earning the program's first regular-season title in 15 years.
Prior to Greensboro College, Mota served at the goalkeeping coach as Sam Houston Sate from 2014-15. In addition to his time at Sam Houston State, Mota made stops at Southeastern Louisiana University, University of South Carolina, and Southern Wesleyan University, where he also served as recruiting coordinator and goalkeeping coach, combining for over 10 years of experience.
At the University of Houston
· Named Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach prior to the 2019 season.
· Qualified for AAC tournament - first time in school history (2019).
· 3.61 Semester GPA - best in program history (Fall 2019)
· Sammy Cude - AAC GK of the Week, Oct 21, 2019.
· Salma Ghazal - AAC Conferencme Honor Roll, March 1, 2021
Prior to the University of Houston
Mota was a head coach for four years at Greensboro College. While at Greensboro, he compiled 53 wins and 19 losses, making him the winningest coach in Greensboro College history. Mota’s 2018 team accomplished the schools only undefeated regular season and a regular season conference championship. In the classroom, Mota held high academic standards. His 3.4 team GPA average for three straight years was an all-time high at Greensboro College. In the spring of 2018, Mota was able to fundraise and take his team to Spain on a soccer tour.
At Greensboro College
· Named Head Women’s Soccer Coach prior to the 2015 season.
· 53-19-4 (.720) career record in four seasons.
· 22-14-4 record in USA South Athletic Conference play.
· 2018 Regular Season Conference Champion.
· Led team to program’s best 17-1 record in 2018.
· Broke a combined 13 single season records in four seasons.
Player Development at Greensboro College
· 15 All-Conference Selections,
· School’s first National Team Selection (Puerto Rico).
· Highest Team GPA (2017,2018).
· Awarded Community Service Leadership award.
· Spain soccer trip.
Prior to Greensboro College
Mota spent time as an assistant coach at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. In addition to his time at Sam Houston State, Mota made stops at Southeastern Louisiana University, University of South Carolina and Southern Wesleyan University, where he also served as an assistant coach.
Personal
· Native of Columbia, S.C.
· Bachelor’s from Clemson University.
· Wife - Bailey.
