Photo credit: Tim O’Brien, Beverly Review
Brother Rice High School is pleased to announce the appointment of Rick Romeli as the new head coach of the Crusaders varsity basketball program. Romeli brings extensive coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels to lead the storied Brother Rice basketball tradition.
Romeli, a 2001 graduate of Marian Catholic High School, most recently served as head coach at Marian Catholic for two seasons (2023-24, 2024-25), compiling an impressive 48-19 overall record and an 18-6 mark in the East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC). His leadership helped establish Marian Catholic as a competitive force in one of the area’s most challenging conferences.
Prior to his tenure at Marian Catholic, Romeli spent 18 seasons as a college assistant coach, including nine seasons at Saint Xavier University and nine seasons at Governors State University. This extensive collegiate experience has provided him with advanced knowledge of player development, recruiting, and program building that will benefit the Brother Rice basketball program.
“I’m blessed to receive this opportunity to lead a program with a great basketball tradition and alumni support,” said Romeli. “I want to thank Sean McBride, Bob Alberts, and Mark Donahue for believing in my vision.”
Romeli resides in Palos Heights with his wife and two young children, making him well-connected to the local basketball community and the values that define the Brother Rice educational experience.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Romeli to the Brother Rice family,” said Sean McBride, Director of Athletics. “His proven track record of success, combined with his commitment to developing young men both on and off the court, makes him the ideal fit to lead our basketball program forward.”
Brother Rice High School, founded in 1956, is a Catholic college preparatory school that serves young men throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. The Crusaders compete in the Chicago Catholic League and have a rich tradition of athletic excellence spanning nearly seven decades.
