Joliet, IL- Marking the organization’s tenth anniversary, the Joliet Buccaneers Organization is pleased to announce a new change at the helm of their ship.  This change is not dramatic, but an upward advancement, as one may see it.  Last year’s Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach Vernon E. McCants will now lead the ship as the new Head Coach of the Joliet Buccaneers Minor League Football Team. “I am honored and very humble at the same time, as this is a prestigious opportunity that I don’t take lightly,” said New Head Coach McCants.  "I come into this position with a lot of high expectations, as I helped guide the team back to the playoffs after a four year absence, so I’m hoping that this will be a foundation for what’s in store for the future."  McCants is a student of the game, a four year starter at Proser High School, and a two year starter for Lake Park College before an injury sidelined his career as a defensive back.  "I never thought about coaching until I started to coach my oldest son’s football team when he started to play pop warner football", McCants said.  It was not what he had visualized, or had seen in himself. McCants only wanted to be a proud dad, help out where need be when coaches needed extra help, and then after doing that, it eventually led him coaching his other son and later being the Defensive Coordinator for the Bolingbrook Trojans Youth Football Association (2006-2009) and Defensive Coordinator/ Assistant Head Coach for the Plainfield Saints Youth Association (2010-2011) and later being the Joliet Buccaneers Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator (2011-2012). "Having the opportunity to coach some of the young men, which played for me when they played youth football, is and will continue to be an extraordinary and exciting honor for me!"

“Mr. McCants is the right fit for the Head Coach position,” said CEO/General Manager Sandra Geib-Ingram. He is a good man and the players respect him for his candor. “We have done so well this past season, especially by what we have done over the last 2 years, said Michael W. Ingram Jr. President of the Organization. When we first started this team back in 2004 the goal wasn’t to just build a team, it was to build a brand, a foundation for young men that want to keep playing football well beyond after high school and or college."

McCants was introduced as the New Head Coach at the 2012/2013 Team Meeting that took place on November 1. Along with McCants being introduced as the sixth new Head Coach, Coach Andre Ward was introduced as the new Assistant Head Coach/ Defensive Assistant. “I am thrilled about the opportunity of being more hands on with our football program; I have done my part at recruiting and now I am up for a much greater challenge, “said Coach Ward. Coach Ward’s attitude for 2013 and beyond reflects his mission of making this organization and team, one of the best in the area. Along with the advancements, Coach Ken Burgess long-time Romeoville native will be asked to do more with offense this season; and Tony Michalowicz, Sr. father of WR # 5 Anthony Michalowicz will be added to the coaching staff.  Another key addition is Veronica Pollard who was named the Assistant General Manager. The Buccaneers are coming off a successful season making the playoffs for the first time in four years. “We have a lot work ahead of us, but I am eager to move the organization in a different light for the 2013 season,” said McCants. I know that this won’t be an easy task at hand, but I am up to the challenge.

For more information about the Joliet Buccaneers Minor League Football Organization visit us on the web at www.jolietbuccaneers.com.