Bio

Mike Romano was named the 5^th Head Basketball Coach in the history of the Community College of Rhode Island program in May of 2024.

Romano also works full-time at CCRI in the role of Student-Athlete Enhancement & Compliance Officer in which he assists student-athletes with academic advising, ensuring academic eligibility with the NJCAA, and staying on track for graduation and transfer opportunities.

Prior to coming to CCRI, Romano spent over a decade in the collegiate coaching ranks with stops at Rhode Island College, Alfred University, Hartwick College and Bard College.

As Associate Head Coach at Alfred University for three seasons, Romano was responsible for the Saxons defensive schemes and was a key part of the 2018-19 Empire 8 Championship team and first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1997. That team won a program-record 14 games in a row and won its first NCAA Tournament contest since the 1984-85 season. Statistically, that team was tops in the Empire 8 in opponent turnovers (16.8) per game, and were second in both points allowed (71.8) and opponent shooting percentage (42 percent). Romano and the rest of the AU staff were named the Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year for their efforts. In his first season at Alfred (2017-18), Romano helped the Saxons post an eight-win increase from the previous season and a return to the Empire 8 tournament for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

Romano also spent 4 seasons at Rhode Island College, enjoying tremendous success with current St. John’s and former Providence College assistant coach Bob Walsh.  Romano won two Little East tournament titles and appeared in a pair of NCAA tournaments during his time at Rhode Island College.  In addition to recruiting multiple all-rookie and all-conference selections, Romano coached All-American Tahrike Carter during the 2012-13 season where the Anchormen spent multiple weeks in the d3hoops.com Top 25 poll.

Additional experience for Romano includes the 2019-20 season spent with 4-time National Prep School Champion, Putnam Science Academy where he coached multiple players that would go on to play at the Division I, II and III levels.  Romano also spent two seasons with the Division I men’s basketball program at Marist College under current University of Arkansas assistant coach Chuck Martin.  At Marist, Romano was a graduate manager as he completed his Masters Degree in Secondary Education.

Romano is also highly active on the summer camp and AAU circuit, spending over 10 years working in various capacities with the Hoop Group, the National Recruiting Report and the Gym Rat Challenge.

Originally from Pawling, New York, Romano resides in Chepachet with his wife, Micaela.