Bobby Rome II was named the inaugural head football coach at Chicago State University on April 8, 2025, bringing a proven record of building, rebuilding, and elevating football programs at multiple levels.

Throughout his coaching career, Rome has shown the ability to establish culture, recruit talent, develop student-athletes, and build sustainable foundations for emerging programs. His experience spans multiple levels of college football, non-scholarship programs, international competition, and professional football, giving him a distinctive perspective as Chicago State builds its football program from the ground up.

Rome arrived at Chicago State following three seasons as head coach at Florida Memorial University, where he helped transform one of college football's youngest programs. FMU launched football in 2020 and had won just two games before Rome took over in 2022.

In his first season, Rome guided the Lions to three victories while establishing the foundation for the program's growth. The breakthrough came in 2023, when FMU doubled its win total and recorded the first winning season in program history. The Lions earned five Sun Conference victories and entered the final regular-season game with a chance to share the conference championship.

Rome followed that historic season with another six-win campaign in 2024, giving Florida Memorial consecutive winning seasons and further establishing the program as a competitive presence in the Sun Conference.

The turnaround at FMU continued a pattern that has defined Rome's coaching career.

Before Florida Memorial, Rome served as head coach at Central State University. Named to the position in February 2020, he took over the program just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted college athletics nationwide. With the 2020 season canceled, Rome used the opportunity to strengthen the program's foundation, develop relationships throughout Ohio and reshape the roster. His recruiting efforts added more than 35 student-athletes and 20 walk-ons.

Rome made his Central State head coaching debut in 2021 when the Marauders faced Kentucky State in the Classic for Columbus at historic Ohio Stadium. He earned his first CSU victory on September 11 with a 19-7 win over Lincoln University. During his tenure, Central State student-athletes earned three SIAC Player of the Week honors.

Rome previously spent two seasons as head coach at Virginia University of Lynchburg, where he inherited a non-scholarship program carrying a 44-game losing streak. The Dragons immediately showed progress, with Rome winning his coaching debut against Louisburg College in 2018. His work rebuilding the program earned him recognition as the 2018 Small College Sport Report National Coach of the Year.

The following season, VUL opened with a 48-0 victory over Middle Georgia State University. Rome also strategically scheduled seven NCAA Division I opponents, creating revenue opportunities and national exposure for the university while challenging his program against institutions with significantly greater resources and scholarship support.

His responsibilities at Virginia Lynchburg extended beyond the football field. Rome also served as athletics director and as a member of the university's executive board, providing him experience in athletics administration, institutional leadership, and program development. He also coached in the Tropical Bowl, National Bowl, FBS Bowl, and Globe Bowl.

Rome's experience building programs began at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, where he became head coach of UNC's club football program. Taking over a program that had not competed since 2012, Rome helped relaunch the team, won his coaching debut, and guided the Tar Heels to a 4-4 record.

His coaching background also extends internationally. From 2013-16, Rome served as head coach at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Russia. He managed all aspects of the program while also serving as an American ambassador for the sport, helping expand American football's presence and understanding abroad.
Before entering coaching, Rome built a diverse playing career.

He played at the University of North Carolina from 2006-09 after arriving in Chapel Hill as a quarterback recruit. Rome transitioned to fullback during his first year and appeared in 49 of a possible 50 games during his collegiate career, missing only one contest due to illness. As a junior and senior, he contributed to Tar Heel teams that earned bowl invitations.

After graduating from UNC in 2009, Rome spent time in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He later continued his playing career internationally with the Moscow Patriots in Russia, serving as the team's primary import and only American player.

A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Rome was a four-year starting quarterback at Granby High School. As a senior, he passed for more than 1,700 yards and helped lead Granby to the Eastern
District championship.

Rome earned a bachelor's degree in African American Studies from the University of North Carolina. His wife, Latosha, is also a UNC graduate. They have four children: Tanaysia, Gia Bella, Bobby III, and Quinn Elizabeth Rome.