“It’s such an honor because Glendale college has been a model program for me ever since I was a high school coach,” said Rome, who served two stints as an assistant coach with the Vaqueros. “In the last seven years at Glendale college, it’s been about being able to grow in the program and pick up details about the program from [former Coach] Jim Sartoris and Coach Cicuto. To get this job, it’s the best birthday present that I’ve ever gotten.”
Rome, whose first head coaching job was at Citrus College from 1995-2000, will inherit a program that finished 6-4 and 5-2 in the Western State Conference Pacific Division last year. The Vaqueros finished the season ranked 15th in Southern California.
Rome will also continue to serve as an adjunct faculty member in physical education and health, in addition to serving as the lab technician at the college’s fitness center.
Cicuto, who went 98-95-2, said the hiring of Rome will add further stability to a program’s that’s traditionally recruited local high school players.
“He’s got the true understanding about the philosophy of Glendale college, and that’s important,” said Cicuto, who led the Vaqueros to conference championships in 1990 and 2005. “Being able to understand that makes you feel a lot more comfortable.
“He understands what recruiting is like because he’s got that identity toward the local schools. The organization strengths are there, and he’s thinking every minute about coaching techniques.”
Cicuto didn’t elaborate on exactly how many candidates interviewed for the position.
Rome, who has also served as an assistant coach at UCLA, New Mexico and numerous high school programs across Southern California, said he doesn’t plan to change much with respect to the program.
