John Carroll University added to its long list of National Football League accolades this past weekend.
JCU graduate Greg Roman '95, the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, was named the Associated Press NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
Roman, at the helm as an offensive play caller for the first time in Baltimore, led a Ravens offense that led the NFL in points per game (33.2). In his first season with the role of offensive coordinator, Roman has orchestrated a Ravens offense that set the all-time NFL rushing record in a single season with 3,296.
Under Roman's direction, second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson became just the second ever unanimous NFL Most Valuable Player. Jackson led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns and yards per rushing attempt (6.9). He also achieved the most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback (1,206).
Roman's success in football was developed at John Carroll, where he was a three-year varsity letterwinner. In 1994, he was named All-Ohio Athletic Conference honorable mention, starting as a defensive lineman. The Blue Streaks won a share of the Ohio Athletic Conference championship in that season. He finished his Blue Streaks career with 140 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks.
During his time at JCU, he helped launch Helping Others Through Physical Education (H.O.P.E) for the developmentally disabled in Northeast Ohio.
In a coaching career that has spanned four decades and has included time in the high school, collegiate and professional ranks, Roman also spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Buffalo Bills. While with the 49ers, Roman led a San Francisco offense that went to the NFC Championship in three consecutive seasons. In 2012, the 49ers reached the Super Bowl and lost to his current team, the Ravens.
Roman also spent two seasons at Stanford University under Jim Harbaugh.
As a result of his success with the Ravens offense, Roman earned an interview with the Cleveland Browns for their head coaching vacancy. He remained with the Ravens and has a wife, Dana, and three children (Connor, Gregory, and Emily Grace).
