Bobby Rome II joined the FMU coaching staff as head football coach for Florida Memorial University in April of 2022.
Rome, a former collegiate and professional football player, has over eight years of head coaching experience, most recently serving as head coach of Central State University and Virginia University of Lynchburg.
Hired in February of 2020, Rome guided the Central State football program through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. While his first season as CSU's head coach would ultimately be canceled due to heath protocols, and restrictions, Rome used the time away from the field effectively and efficiently building relationships in the State of Ohio and signing over 35 new student-athletes and adding an additional 20 players as walk-ons.
Rome finally made his CSU head coaching debut in the 2021 season as the Marauders played rival Kentucky State in the Classic for Columbus played in Ohio Stadium. Rome recorded his first win at CSU on September 11th in a 19-7 win over Lincoln. In his short stint as CSU's head coach, Rome's players earned a combined three SIAC Player of the Week honors.
Prior to coaching at CSU, Rome spent two seasons serving as head coach at the Virginia University of Lynchburg. Taking over a non-scholarship based football program on a 44-game losing streak, under Rome, VUL immediately showed improvement in 2018 as Rome won his VUL coaching debut over Louisburg College. At the conclusion of the season, Rome was named 2018 Small College Sport Report National Coach of the Year.
In 2019, Rome's Dragons opened the season with a 48-0 win over Middle Georgia State University. Rome's schedule of seven NCCA Div. I programs created revenue for VUL. Competing against schools possessing greater monetary resources and scholarship allocation, Rome's team remained competitive.
In addition to his coaching duties, Rome also served as VUL's athletics director and was a member of the executive board. During his time at VUL, he also participated as a coach at the Tropical Bowl, National Bowl, FBS Bowl and Globe Bowl.
Prior to taking the job at VUL, Rome worked at his alma mater as the head coach of the University of North Carolina's club football team. A program that had not competed since 2012, the Tar Heels club team won in Rome's coaching debut and went on to a 4-4 record.
Rome also coached internationally. From 2013-2016, he served as the head coach at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Russia. Rome directed all aspects of the program while serving as an American ambassador for the sport of football in Russia.
Rome went on to play for the Tar Heels at UNC from 2006 to 2009. Originally recruited to UNC as a quarterback, he was moved to the fullback position during his freshman year and played in 49 of 50 games during his collegiate career, missing only one game due to illness. As a junior and senior, he played on Tar Heel teams which received bowl invitations.
A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Rome was a four-year starter at quarterback for Granby High School, throwing for more than 1,700 yards as a senior and leading Granby to the Eastern District title.
After graduating from UNC in 2009, Rome spent time in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. After his stint in the NFL, Rome was offered a playing opportunity for the Moscow Patriots in Russia, where he was the team's star import and lone American player.
Rome II holds a bachelor's degree from UNC in African American studies. Rome's wife, Latosha, is also a UNC graduate. Rome has four children - Tanaysia, Gia Bella, Bobby III and Quinn Elizabeth Rome.
