Chicago State University names first football coach in school history

CHICAGO - Chicago State University introduced Bobby Rome II as the first head football coach in program history on Tuesday.

Rome will take over a team that will make its debut in 2026. 

The university launched its search for its first football coach in February, using the Renaissance Search & Consulting firm.

Rome comes with head coaching experience at three other schools, most recently at Florida Memorial University, a historically black university, from 2022 to 2024. At FMU, he led a program turnaround taking the team from zero conference wins to back-to-back Sun Conference Championship game appearances.

"I plan on going out there to get our best, the best in our community," Rome said. "I'm not taking hand-me-downs. I'm going to get the best our community has to offer. We're going to bring them back to Chicago State and develop that young man holistically, from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, and we're going to play some unbelievable football, by the way. We're going to win some football games. Trust me." 

Starting from scratch

Big picture view:

Since 2000, there have been 10 programs that have started football programs. Only two are in the FCS, with the other eight playing in the FBS. Of those 10 programs, seven are located in either Texas, Georgia or Florida, which is where pipelines to the best high school football players in the nation have been established.

The last Illinois university to begin a college football program was Southern Illinois in 1904. This means Chicago State has a chance to begin its football history with a blank canvas. 

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Home sweet home?

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It is not exactly clear where the Cougars will play their home games in 2026.

The Athletic reported CSU considered Soldier Field, SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview and local high schools as possible sites for home games. CSU Director of Athletics Dr. Monique Carroll told FOX 32 she has a preference in mind but noted that some places she's looked into aren't ready to book events in 2026.

"I would prefer to play at Gately (Stadium)," Carroll said. "We have our eyes set at Gately, but we know there's some things we need to work through to get that to happen."

Gately Stadium, 810 E. 103rd St., is operated by Chicago Public Schools and currently hosts football games, track meets and soccer matches.