Pirates Move Pass to Front Office, Promote Head Coach from Within
January 29, 2022 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release
WORCESTER, MA - Rayshaun Kizer, who helped lead the Massachusetts Pirates to the Indoor Football League Championship last season as the team's Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach, will become the team's Head Coach for the upcoming season. The move was announced as former Head Coach Patrick Pass will move to a front office position as Director of Football Personnel Development.
Pirates Founder, Co-Owner, President and General Manager Jawad Yatim sees the move as one that will keep a winning continuity within the organization.
"Pat has been with us since day one and we are thrilled to have him back with the organization. His presence is an important one here with the Pirates and at this time a move to the front office made sense for both parties. We have the utmost confidence in Rayshaun Kizer leading our players and coaching staff and look forward to getting the season started shortly," Yatim said.
In 2019 Pass was the Pirates' Director of Player Development. At the end of that season he was elevated to Head Coach. Under the leadership of Pass, a three-time Super Bowl Champion as a running back with the New England Patriots, Massachusetts recovered from a 3-3 start to win the next 11 games and capture its first ever championship.
For Kizer, this will be his first time as a Head Coach. As Defensive Coordinator and Secondary Coach last season, the former five-time All-Arena League defensive back built a defense that led the league in nine defensive categories. The most impressive stat was that over 17 games, Massachusetts allowed an IFL best 31.6 points per game. During the Pirates playoff run that number dropped to just 25 points per contest. Five times the Pirates held opponents under 20 points in 2021. Kizer, now the fourth Head Coach in the history of the franchise, will continue as Defensive Coordinator for the 2022 campaign.
A native of Euclid, Ohio, Kizer played his college ball at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. In 2007 he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets. He went on to have two stints in the Canadian Football League and a stellar career in arena ball in the AF2 and AFL. Playing for Orlando in 2011, Kizer set an Arena Football League single-season record with 16 interceptions.
The Pirates have also announced that Offensive Coordinator Mark Stoute, who has 25 years of coaching experience, will also serve as Assistant Head Coach for the upcoming season.
The 2021 United Bowl Champions; Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Pirates play all home games at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA, 01608. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. For 2022 season, half-season, luxury, or group ticket packages please call 508-452-MASS (6277) or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com/tickets. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates.
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