Veteran HBCU coach to lead new FCS football program

An HBCU veteran will lead a brand-new program into battle in the near future.

Bobby Rome II, who recently built a winning program at NAIA university Florida Memorial, has been named the first ever head coach of the Chicago State football program.

🏈🔥HISTORY MADE: Bobby Rome II is officially our first ever head-football coach! We are so excited to have Coach on board to help us build our Division 1 FCS football program from the ground up.#gocsucougars #chistatecougars #pursuingexcellence pic.twitter.com/IjFfFUMYwn

— Chicago State Athletics (@ChiStateCougars) April 8, 2025

Rome, a former North Carolina and professional football player, led the Lions to back-to-back 6-win seasons before his contract was not renewed this past January. The winning seasons were the first for FMU since they restarted football after a 60-plus year absence.

According to a report by Chicago TV station Fox32, the Cougars will take the field for the 2026 season. Home stadium options are still being considered at this time.