PIRATES DISMISS MIRTO AFTER ONE SEASON

DUNEDIN- After one season at the helm, the Anclote Pirates have decided to dismiss head coach Scott Mirto, according to sources close to the team. The dismissal came nearly 24 hours after Anclote's 44-14 postseason loss to the Tampa Bay Patriots in the Florida Football Alliance's Wild-Card Round game. The Pirates finished the season at 3-8 and now head into the off-season searching for a new head coach. 

The team brass held a season-in-review meeting and at the conclusion decided it was time to part ways with Mirto. Team President Andy Villamarzo notified the team shortly after of the team's decision. 

""We fell short of expectations," Villamarzo said. "There was some high expectations heading in when we promoted coach Mirto back in the fall and we just didn't see eye to eye on many things. We wish the best to coach Mirto in his future endeavors." 

Team Vice President Steve Korossy says the search for the program's next head coach is already underway and a few potential candidates have been identified. Korossy spoke very highly of the relationshop established between the Pirates and Dunedin High School, as the team played their 2017 home schedule at Dunedin Memorial Stadium on the campus of Dunedin High School. 

"The Pirates had the best overall game day atmosphere in the FFA largely because of the relationship with Dunedin High School," Korossy said. "We negotiated a mutually beneficial lease arrangement during the preseason with Dunedin. We were happy to be able to financially help student athletic programs at Dunedin High Scool. A special thank you goes out to the volunteers who helped with Pirates' game day activites. We look forward to improving all aspects of our organization and building on the positives of 2017."

The Pirates are currently accepting all interested player inquiries on playing for the club for the 2018 season. Any player interested should contact the team at anclotepirates@gmail.com.