Central State University’s football team began a new chapter Feb. 21, 2020, naming
Bobby Rome II as the program’s new head football coach.
“I’m very honored,” Rome said. “It’s like a dream come true.”
Rome became Central State’s fifth head coach since the university reactivated its football program in 2005.
Prior to coming to CSU, Rome served as the athletic director and head coach at Virginia University in Lynchburg. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, the 33-year-old Rome was a starting fullback at the University of North Carolina from 2006-2009. He played in the NFL with three teams before playing and later coaching professional football in Russia.
CSU Athletic Director Tara A. Owens said she has confidence in Rome. “We do believe that we’ll have success this season under his leadership,” she said. “You can tell that he loves the sport of football and mentoring young men.”
Coach Rome replaces Cedric Pearl who compiled a 19-41 record in six seasons with the Marauders.
Student athletes expressed excitement over Rome's hiring.
“I think he’s going to give us that extra push we need to get over the hump,” linebacker Javion Williams said. “It’s about time for us to get back to the powerhouse team we were back in the ‘90s.”
Owens said she hopes Rome can keep the athletes focused on both academics and sports.
“We want to foster an atmosphere of learning,” she said. “As well as get the culture of football back to where we expect it to be.”
Rome said he is up for the challenge of being head coach. “I learned how to adjust and adapt to change,” he said. “Being overseas and meeting new people and experiencing new things prepared me well for this position.”
Rome said he believes CSU has the staff and athletes need to bring a conference championship back to Central State.
The CSU Department of Athletics will release the complete 2020 football schedule later this month.The Marauders will open the 2020 season at the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic in Canton, Ohio, on Sept. 6, 2020.
“I’ve been waiting on this game for a long time,” CSU student Travon Brice said. “I have already got my ticket.”