LOWELL, MA - The Massachusetts Pirates have elevated Frederick Griggs to be the Head Coach for the 2025 season. The move was made when acting Head Coach Ameer Ismail did not report to camp, citing interviews for assistant positions within the outdoor spring circuit as reasons for such.

Pirates President and General Manager Jawad Yatim shares his excitement about the elevation of Griggs and his staff heading into the 2025 season. "Opening day isn't waiting on anyone, we're focused on the guys who are here. I am excited however about having the opportunity to elevate Coach Griggs as the newest head coach of our organization. Outside of the obvious traits you look for in a head coach, he's fully invested into the organization and we value that here. This has been one of our more efficient training camps, we've been able to integrate and implement at a strong pace and that's a credit to the staff and players as a whole."

In October of 2024 Griggs was re-hired by the Pirates and named Associate Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach for the 2025 campaign after joining the team last season in June as a Defensive Backs Coach. The move paid immediate dividends as the Pirates won back-to-back games over Jacksonville and Quad City which helped the team in its playoff run to the Indoor Football League National Championship game.

For Griggs, this will be his second stint as a Head Coach in the Indoor Football League. Griggs became the interim Head Coach of the Duke City Gladiators in 2022 as the team faced the Arizona Rattlers in the first round of the Indoor Football League playoffs. He served as Head Coach from 2023 until late in the 2024 season. 

Griggs spent seven years with the Duke City Gladiators as a player, General Manager and Head Coach. He helped Duke City to back-to-back Champions Indoor Football titles earning league Defensive MVP and Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors. He later served as General Manager and ultimately as Head Coach. 

Griggs started his professional career in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders. He transitioned to the indoor game with four teams before joining Duke City. Griggs played with the Cedar Rapids Titans (IFL), the Bloomington Edge and the Kansas City Phantoms (both in the CIF). 

An All-State high school linebacker in Tallahassee, Florida, Griggs became a two-time All-American while playing safety and cornerback at NAIA William Penn University in Iowa.

The team has announced that joining Grigg's staff will be former Pirates wideout Mardy Gilyard and defensive tackle Toby Johnson. Gilyard, one of the team's all-time receivers, will serve as Wide Receivers Coach. Johnson, who helped the Pirates to the IFL Title in 2021, will be the Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Line Coach and Defensive Run Game Coordinator.

The 2021 United Bowl Champions; Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and play their home games at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. For 2025 ticket information for the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and X @mass_pirates