Ricardo “ROME” Jerome joined the North Carolina Wesleyan University football staff as defensive line coach, bringing nearly two decades of experience in coaching, teaching, mentoring and student-athlete development.
A native of Washington, D.C., Jerome attended Norfolk State University, where he played defensive line from 2001-05. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Health, Physical Education and Sociology.
Jerome began his coaching career in football and track and field in 2007. His coaching experience includes stops at Warwick High School and Denbigh High School in Virginia’s Hampton Roads region before continuing his career at Nash Central High School in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
At Nash Central, Jerome served as an assistant football coach and head track and field coach while also working as an educator and mentor. Throughout his career, he has helped more than 120 student-athletes advance to compete at the collegiate level in their respective sports.
Jerome’s coaching philosophy is centered around discipline, accountability, physicality, technique and developing the complete student-athlete. As a defensive line coach, he emphasizes relentless effort, controlling the line of scrimmage, mastering fundamentals and building a competitive mindset both on and off the field.
Jerome is NCAA Eligibility certified and also holds certifications in Fundamentals of Coaching, Sports Nutrition, CPR/First Aid/AED, Concussion in Sports, Heat Illness Prevention and Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Jerome views coaching as an opportunity to serve, mentor and develop young people while preparing student-athletes for success on the field, in the classroom and beyond athletics.
