Coaching Staff

Martin Gramatica

Head Coach

Martin was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to the United States at the age of nine. He grew up playing soccer and did not begin to play organized football until he was a senior in high school. He played college football for Kansas State University and was recognized twice as a Consensus All-American. He won the Lou Groza Award in 1997, which honors the nation’s top kicker. He still holds the NCAA record with a 65-yard field goal without the use of a tee. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and named All Pro in 2001. His greatest professional achievement was winning the 2002 Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After retiring from professional football, Gramatica started Gramatica SIPS and the Gramatica Family Foundation with a mission of building homes for combat wounded veterans. Today, Martin continues his involvement with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the color analyst for the Buccaneer Spanish Radio. He serves as VP of Business Development for Life Guard Imaging, which changes and saves lives through early detection of heart disease and cancers.

Martin’s passion has always been soccer. For the last 15 years, Martin has had an extensive impact on youth development in the area. He is enthusiastic about being a part of bringing professional indoor soccer to the Tampa Bay community.

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Santiago Gramatica

Assistant Coach

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Since 1999, continues to live in the Tampa Bay Area with his wife, Breana, and children Sebastian and Scarlett. Very involved in the Tampa Bay community and is one of the founders of the Gramatica Family Foundation, with a mission to positively impact the quality of life of our community’s veterans through housing initiatives.

Santiago is a passionate and experienced coach with a proven track record of guiding athletes to achieve both personal and team achievements. Worked at IMG Academy, surrounded by some of the nations’ top athletes and coaches. Has a tremendous understanding of the mental aspect of sports combined with the physical on the field.

Coaching Experience

11 Years of Soccer Coaching
15 Years of Specialist Coaching
Founder of Gramatica Kicking Academy

Playing Experience

4 Year starter USF Football (NCAA Div. 1)
3 Highest Leading Scorer in School History
2002 Lou Groza Finalist
Florida Firecats
Florida High School All State Team

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Chris Ruiz

Assistant Coach

Ruiz, a longtime professional soccer coach, is the current NPL Director of Coaching with Florida Premier FC and the CEO/Director of Coaching and Methodology at Futboland Academy in Tampa. Ruiz has also spent significant time with multiple clubs sanctioned by the USSF and Cadiz CF.

Chrysanthos Christou

Assistant Coach

Chrysanthos Christou was born in Larnaca, Cyprus and began his soccer career at 12 years of age. He has played professional soccer for 10 years for teams internationally accredited by UEFA, the Union of European Football, for first division teams such as: AEK Larnaca and Ermis Aradippou. Soccer has been his passion since his childhood days and continues to be a significant part of his professional and personal life.

Coach Chrysanthos has trained with Ray Clemence MBE, one of English & European soccer’s most decorated goalkeepers, as well as Nikos Sarganis, a legendary Greek retired soccer goalkeeper. 1st Division Teams AEK Larnaca- Cyprus Ermis Aradippou- Cyprus Second Division Teams Omonia Aradippou: 1st Goalkeeper- Cyprus Chalkanoras Idaliou: 1st Goalkeeper- Cyprus 3rd Division Teams Sourouklis: 1st Goalkeeper- Cyprus Aspis Pyla: 1st Goalkeeper- Cyprus Coach Chrysanthos works as Head Coach for the West Florida Flames for the past 5 years and is now coaching U11, U16 and U19 teams, as well as the West Florida Flames goalkeepers.

He has completed his U.S. Soccer National C Coaching License and is now in the process of completing his National B Coaching License.