www.markmulvany.comNo Experience NecessaryChapter 1“Did you fall asleep in a meeting?”A few years ago, I let go. I started to fully trust that I would be placed in the right position at the right time to do the most good. It wasn’t that I stopped trying, it was that I completely focused on the process and spent more time enjoying the process and no time worrying or stressing about outcomes. Things changed for me and for the athletes that I coach when I fully bought in. With this mindset, it was easier to say yes to opportunities that pushed me to continue my own personal development. It was also easier for me to evaluate and realize when a situation wasn’t going to be beneficial to my own development. As I looked back at the sequence of events that led me to my current role and current level of happiness I realized that there were moments in my life that were difficult at first, but now I realized they were necessary to get me to this point. I was nearing the end of my first year in public education and then I received a message that I wasn’t expecting.My watch buzzed on a beautiful April afternoon and I saw I had a message. “Hey! Have you ever had anything to do with volleyball..?” That was the text message I received on April 29, 2025. I replied back, “I know enough to be helpful with some guidance.” The truth is I could say that about most things. I feel like my ability to work hard, learn, and adapt to new situations is a strength. I spent the majority of my career working in a sport that was brand new to me at one time, so I was going to listen and keep an open mind. For more than 20 years I worked with fastpitch softball players in different roles. I started as a private instructor giving hitting lessons in my early 20’s and developed as a coach alongside my players. I created a scouting company in my master bedroom that merged scouting and technology that became a national brand in just 4-months and after an amazing 10-year run I transitioned into college softball.I actually didn’t intend to become a coach. When my baseball playing career was over I thought I was done with that part of my life forever, and I was okay with it. I started an alternative rock band in Dallas, TX and performed around DFW. I was never able to pursue music in high school or college while I was playing baseball, so when I finally got the opportunity after moving to Denton County to start playing music I put a band together. By the way, if you grew up watching the Von Erich family wrestle in Dallas in the 1980’s then you already know why I refer to it as Denton County instead of Denton, TX. It seems like a lot of musical journeys begin because of a girl, and my musical story started when I met my wife in downtown Dallas on August 23, 2001. She was a music major at the University of North Texas and I knew if she were going to fall in love with me, I would need to learn how to sing and write songs. It turns out, she would have loved me anyway. Nonetheless, I was inspired and began to focus on playing, singing and writing and a few weeks later after putting a band together I found myself opening up for some well-known regional acts and a few national touring artists. It was almost too much, too fast and it became more stressful than it was fun. I realized that I enjoyed writing and recording music more than I enjoyed playing the club scene.After I stepped back from live music and after a very brief, and very failed attempt to play professional golf I finally missed the game of baseball. If you knew me for the first 20 years of my life you would have never thought I’d leave the game of baseball. Growing up, I wanted to be able to play professional baseball and when that didn’t happen, I distanced myself from the game that I loved. My identity had been shaped by baseball and I was eager to show that I was more than that. After some much needed time away from the game, I started to look for ways to get involved. I was living in Fort Worth, TX where a former Major League Baseball pitcher named Ray Burris owned an indoor baseball academy. To be more specific, the Ray Burris Academy of Sports Instruction. I was always curious what the other sports were that his staff offered besides baseball. Spoiler alert; I would soon find out. I contacted Mr. Burris and he agreed to meet with me. When I entered the instructional area, there was a portable basketball goal next to one of the four batting cages. As I looked over to the basketball I couldn’t believe that I was witnessing my mom’s favorite Texas Ranger of all-time Odibee McDowell shooting hoops. The man who hit for the first cycle in Rangers history was perfecting his mid-range jumper. Then I saw former Ranger George Wright throwing batting practice in a cage as well. Still in awe, I met with Mr. Burris and he agreed to take me on as an instructor. I’m not sure why, as he had the two centerfielders from the ‘85 Texas Rangers giving lessons...
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