Northern Illinois University men’s soccer head coach Ryan Swan announced the addition of Nick Roman to the Huskie staff on Tuesday (Aug. 15). A long-time coach at various levels in the Rockford area, Roman will work with NIU’s goalkeepers. 

“I am really excited to add Nick to our coaching staff,” said Swan. “Nick came with great recommendations and our committee was impressed with his experience at the youth, collegiate and ODP levels. I am confident he will contribute greatly to our program, and I am sure our goalkeepers will enjoy his training methods.”

Roman joins the Huskie men’s soccer staff following 10 years with the Rockford Raptors Soccer Club, where he was the Director of Goalkeeping. He has also been a staff goalkeeper coach with the Illinois Olympic Development Program (ODP) since 2013, along with the Midwest Region ODP and has served as the Director of Goalkeeping for the Illinois Youth Soccer Association since 2019. 

“Having the opportunity to work at NIU with the men’s soccer program is a dream,” said Roman. “I’m excited to grow as a coach under Coach Swan and (assistant coach) Ronnie (Bouemboue) and to help the program return to winning championships and advancing to the national tournament. There is something special about being in this environment and I am excited to get started.”

Roman was the goalkeepers coach at his alma mater, Ashford University, in Clinton, Iowa, in 2015, helping the program win the AII Conference and reach the NAIA National Tournament. In 2014, Roman was an assistant coach at Rock Valley College and helped guide the Golden Eagles to a Final Four appearance in the NJCAA Tournament. 

As a graduate assistant with the Ashford University women’s program in 2012, Roman helped the team win a conference title and reach the Round of 16 in the NAIA Tournament. 

A graduate of Belvidere (Ill.) High School, Roman set school records for shutouts and goals against during his time at Ashford. In 2009, his team won conference regular season and tournament titles while advancing to the NAIA National Tournament, finishing with a 19-1-2 overall record. He was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2016. Following his collegiate career, Roman played for the Quad City Eagles (NPSL) and the Chicago Inferno (PASL Premier). 

Roman holds a United States Soccer Federation “C” Coaching License and a Level 3 Goalkeeping Diploma from the United Soccer Coaches.