Coach Rome: “We’re Going to Get it Done.”
Chicago State University is making history as it launches its first-ever Division I football program, set to compete in the Northeast Conference (NEC) in 2026. Leading the charge is Coach Bobby Rome II, a seasoned coach with a clear vision to build a program that embodies the spirit of Chicago’s South Side. Rome spoke with us recently and shared his goals, strategies, and passion for creating a team that will reflect the South Side community- and compete in the big leagues of Division I in the NEC.
A Program Rooted in Chicago’s Identity
Coach Rome envisions Chicago State football as a reflection of the South Side’s character. “When people think of Chicago State football, I want them to think of a mirror image of the South Side of Chicago,” he said. “Some tough, resilient, gritty folks who love their community, love their university, and want to go out and play hard, play good football for it.”
Beyond the abstract, Rome draws inspiration from successful programs like Michigan, admiring their physical style, use of multiple tight-end sets, and some of the recruiting areas that the Wolverines like to frequent. “We’ll be a physical program, but be very disciplined in all three phases of the game,” he noted, signaling a commitment to a hard-nosed style of football perfect for a head coach that played professionally as a fullback.
Recruiting the Midwest and Building Relationships
Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football, and recruiting for any program starts at home. There’s only so many places that you can build a fence around and form a competitive Division I roster with, and Chicago is one of them. “My goal is to try to keep some of that talent here in Chicago,” Rome said. “You could be successful right here in Chicago.”
To achieve this, Rome plans to build strong relationships with local high school coaches and communities. “Relationships are going to be more important than anything,” he emphasized. He’ll have to turn local coaches into the advocates and recruiters for Chicago State. It’s nothing groundbreaking- coaches won’t recommend their kids go to programs that aren’t willing to partner with the local community. Rome knows this and plans to embed himself in the local community. It’s a great strategy to keep kids home.
Rome’s recruiting pitch is straightforward for the athletes in Chicago. “We’re offering an opportunity for a young man to play at home,” he said. “We’re starting a Division One college football program from scratch that has not been done in the history of any Division One program in Chicago.” The opportunity to make a mark in history while playing at home is not only for the high school players he’ll bring in. The transfer portal will play a key role in building the roster for 2026. Rome plans to target “low-hanging fruit”—players from Chicago or nearby states who want to return home. “The truth is, everything you need to be successful is right here in Chicago,” he said.
Beyond Chicago, Rome will target the Midwest, including Indiana and Ohio, to build a competitive roster. He sees Chicago State’s unique position as the only Division I football program in the city as a significant advantage. “We’re going to embrace being that number one, that only Division One football program in Chicago,” he said proudly.
A Pitch to Student-Athletes: Opportunity and Development
More than just football, Rome is committed to holistic development. “We’re talking about developing the full man from the top of his head down to the sole of his feet,” he said. At Chicago State, student-athletes will receive a quality education and mentorship from coaches dedicated to their success. “At the very least, you come to Chicago State, you’re going to get a great education,” Rome assured.
Development is everything for the Cougars on the football field as well. Rome’s experience at Florida Memorial University (FMU), where he helped develop players who competed in the HBCU Legacy Bowl, informs his approach. “We’re going to home in on development,” he said, emphasizing that Chicago State will prepare players to compete at the highest levels, whether in the NEC or beyond. He’s been able to do it in the past, too- FMU brought more players to the Legacy Bowl than any other program in the past two years.
A Historic Opportunity for Chicago
For Rome, the reality of building Chicago State’s program is here already. “Every day I wake up because I know we’re going to get it done,” he said. The excitement from the community reinforces this feeling, with residents stopping him in stores to express their anticipation. “They’re waiting for this to happen,” he noted. It makes sense. Chicago should be desperate for a Division I team of their own, and Northwestern has never really captured the soul of the city like Chicago State could.
We’ve been open with our enthusiasm about the hire. While there were plenty of splash candidates in the 230 applicants, hiring Rome shows that Chicago State understands the pieces that have to be in place to build a program. It’s not easy starting from scratch, and Rome’s done the next best thing at Florida Memorial. Beyond that, he’s won in places where it’s hard to win. Theoretically, the South Side may not be a difficult place to win in the long term, but while the program is finding its footing it’ll have some challenges. We think they’ve got a coach who can win with long odds and build a program that eventually shortens those odds. That’s a big win.
As Chicago State prepares to take the field in 2026, Coach Bobby Rome II is laying the foundation for a program that will make history just by its very location. With a focus on community, development, and competitive football, Chicago State is poised to become a source of pride for the South Side and a formidable presence in the NEC. As Rome puts it, “Opportunities don’t go away, they just go to other people.” Chicago State is seizing this opportunity, and they’ve got a big stage in a big city ready to rally behind it.
Bobby Rome II Named First Ever Head Football Coach at Chicago State
If you were handpicking the perfect resume for Chicago State University’s first-ever head football coach, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better fit than someone who’s breathed life into a brand-new HBCU program; after all, that’s what they’d be doing again in the South Side. Bobby Rome II didn’t exactly start Florida Memorial University’s football team from scratch—he took the reins in their second season—but what he did there might be the next best thing. On Tuesday, CSU introduced Rome as the man tasked with building its Division 1 FCS program from the ground up, and his knack for turning struggling teams into winners is exactly why he’s here.
Florida Memorial is his most recent successful stop. His contract was unexpectedly not renewed for the NAIA school after he grew the program from winners of 3 (non-conference only) games in his first season to playing in the Sun Conference Championship in his 2nd and 3rd year at the helm. It was following the 3rd year that FMU unexpectedly did not retain the successful coach. Florida Memorial, like Chicago State, is an HBCU. It’s the biggest reason to feel optimistic about the hire and the fit, but it’s not the only one.
It’s not what stood out to me, anyway.
There’s a few types of football fans in America. We can all point toward the biggest schools and historic winners, especially at the D1 level, but how many fans know about Virginia University of Lynchburg? If you do, you’re likely aware that the small HBCU is usually brought in as a home opponent for programs looking to add to their schedule. They’ve played NEC schools in the past, including last season. The rarest thing at VUL is actually winning those games.
But Coach Rome won 3 games in a single season there. The knowledgeable football fans reading this article just spit out their drinks. It’s so impressive of a feat that he was named the 2018 Small College Sports Report National Coach of the Year for his work that season for the VUL Dragons.
Chicago State won’t be his first stab at starting a program from nothing. He did it before at Far Eastern Federal University in Russia. Just like back then, he’s walking into a place with no built-in recruiting ties. But on Chicago’s South Side, he’ll find plenty of athletes who know the game and can be molded. If you add in the new and distinctly American transfer portal, there’s a real shot Chicago State won’t be a pushover for long.
If his past is any clue, Coach Rome doesn’t just build programs—he turns them into winners. It’s all he’s ever done.