As an award-winning Head Basketball Coach and two-time Board Member-elect of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), Romeo Lagmay Jr., known as Coach Romeo, is renowned nationwide as a motivational leader who energetically drives transformation. He holds the distinction of being the all-time winningest coach at Dawson Community College.

Throughout his over 20-year collegiate coaching career, Coach Romeo has consistently developed under-estimated players and programs into nationally recognized powerhouses at all levels of collegiate competition. His non-judgmental approach to leadership promotes a resiliency that inspires and leads others to thrive in the face of adversity.

Coach Romeo’s current role as Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Taft College not only underscores his reputation as a visionary in the sport but also promises a bright and transformative era for the Cougars.

Previously, Coach Romeo was the driving force behind Dawson Community College’s basketball rise. Over the last decade, he transformed the Buccaneers from underdogs to a regional success story, leading them to conference runner-up championships, three conference semifinals, and two quarter-final appearances. During his nine seasons as Head Coach, Coach Romeo developed Junior College All-Stars, All-Americans, All-Conference MVPs, and All-Region Players into Division I talent on the court and nationally-ranked academic honorees off the court.

Coach Romeo’s experience leading top talent from his two-year college to four-year university programs around the country has informed his unique perspective on the transfer portal era. As a WBCA panelist and community event speaker, his expertise has helped players, coaches, and programs navigate the ever-changing collegiate sports landscape by preparing them for opportunities and guiding them through game-changing decisions. As the Head Coach of Talladega College in Alabama for six seasons, Coach Romeo led the program to a top 10 NAIA national ranking and secured a USCAA National Championship. His perseverance and dedication allowed him to rebuild the program from the ground up, transforming it into a powerhouse team.

And during his first two seasons as the Head Coach at Salem University in West Virginia, Coach Romeo achieved one of the best turnaround records in the country for a Division II program by leading them to their first winning season while becoming one of the winningest coaches in school history.

Coach Romeo turns obstacles into winning opportunities. Through guidance to see boundless possibilities, he challenges others to take agency over their aspirations and take advantage of opportunities.

His scope of impact is uniquely informed by his proud Angeleno upbringing, background as a student-athlete, and his Filipino heritage, as well as his mom’s inspiration around education and survivalist mentality which taught him the art of overcoming challenges.

With an impressive academic record that includes a Master’s in Counseling and Educational Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Physical Education/Teaching, Coach Romeo is a force to be reckoned with.

Through his innovative playbook and infectious determination, Coach Romeo motivates others and instills a sense of hope for their future. He believes moments are meant to be seized, and he is on a mission to help others do just that.