Bagaunte comes back to the Pirates after coaching in the collegiate ranks serving as a wide receiver coach at New Mexico Highlands University. Bagaunte was the offensive coordinator of the Pirates during its inaugural IFL season in 2021which he led the offense to the franchise's first championship in the team's history by winning a United bowl. Under Bagaunte the Pirates had a dynamic offense that developed the United Bowl MVP, quarterback Alejandro Bennifield, along with five All-IFL offensive players. Bones brings over a decade of arena football experience to the Pirates, both as a coach and player.
In 2020 Bones served as assistant football operations in the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) league, and hosted a well-known podcast called “The Players Club” Some guests included David Wendell and Johnny Manziel.
In 2019, Bagaunte served as wide receivers coach and assistant to the director of football operations with NAL’s Columbus Lions, while also suiting up and earning First-Team All-NAL honors as a wide receiver.
In 2018, as a player for the Pirates, Bagaunte contributed to the franchise’s first winning season and first playoff appearance. He still holds two Pirates receiving records set in ‘18, most touchdowns in a game (6), and the highest all-purpose yards average per game (101). Bagaunte also served as an offensive and special teams coach for the Pirates and helped guide Devonn Brown to First-Team All-NAL wide receiver honors.
In 2017 Bagaunte was a player and coach for the IFL’s Cedar Rapids Titans. He guided Damond Powell to First-Team All-IFL wide receiver honors. A year prior, in ‘16, Bagaunte coached wide receivers while playing for the IFL’s Billings Wolves. He also was an assistant coach at Frederick Douglass High School (MD) for three seasons, 2014-16. In 2014 the team went 14-0 and won its first state football championship.
After finishing an All-American career at the University of Cincinnati, in which he was a 52-game starter at wide receiver and defensive back, setting several school records, Bagaunte had an NFL stint with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent and participated in their 2011 training camp. He then began his indoor football career, having stops with the Omaha Beef, Kansas City Command, and Nebraska Danger. During his seven-year indoor career, Bagaunte played in thirteen playoff games and three championship games.
Bagaunte, also a certified personal trainer, has spent time coaching and training football players of all ages. He is well-respected among players and coaches alike. His experience and vast knowledge of the indoor game will be an asset to the Pirates. Bagaunte approaches all phases of life with his motto: “Dew More, Say Less.”