SAN FRANCISCO and TEANECK, N.J. - Head baseball coach Rob DiToma announced Wednesday that he will be leaving the Knights' program and begin the next chapter of his career as the head coach of San Francisco (NCAA Division I - WCC). DiToma served as FDU's skipper for three seasons, beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.

In conjunction, FDU Director of Athletics Bradford Hurlbut has elevated first-year assistant Manny Roman to the position of head coach, beginning with the 2022-23 academic year.

"It has been an honor to serve as the head coach of the FDU baseball program these past three years," remarked DiToma. "I will be forever grateful that Brad Hurlbut hired me and gave me my first chance to be a head coach. I am so proud of what we were able to do in my time here at FDU. I only have the opportunities I now have because of the belief, tireless work and effort of each and every one of the players and coaches I was lucky enough to be around everyday here at FDU. I was always taught that when you do something make sure you leave things better than you found them and I know that is what we have done at FDU. I look forward to the continued success of the program [FDU]."

DiToma leaves FDU with a 37-67 record, culminating with a berth in the 2022 Northeast Conference Championship as the four-seed, the first appearance for the Knights in the tournament since 2016. Implementing his "turbulence" program on the bases, the 2005 Mercy graduate helped guide the Burgundy and Blue to an NEC-leading 104 stolen bases in 2022, the 18th-best in Division I.

"We couldn't be happier for Rob and his family and wish him the best at San Francisco," said Hurlbut. "I knew when we hired him three short seasons ago that Rob would be a winner and that FDU would be the first stop on a successful head coaching career. I will personally miss working with him and look forward to watching from afar the successes he will enjoy with the Dons."

A native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, Roman previously served as the head coach of Raritan Valley (NJCAA - GSAC) and later worked at Lackawanna (NJCAA - Region XIX) where he helped contribute to a 2015 regional championship for the Falcons. Immediately before joining then-head coach DiToma's staff on the banks of the Hackensack ahead of the 2022 season, Roman spent four seasons as the  recruiting coordinator and pitching coach for Monroe (NJCAA - Region 15).

During his time at Monroe, Roman contributed to four regional championships and appeared in two NJCAA Baseball World Series (2018, 2019). He has proven success as a coach, having coached three All-American pitchers, three MLB draft picks and has had over 30 players recruited to NCAA and NAIA institutions.

Roman graduated with his Bachelor's of Science in Sport and Recreation Management from Keystone College in La Plume, Pa. in 2012. As a pitcher with the Giants, Roman amassed a senior year ERA of 1.97 in over 13 innings of work, fanning 12.

"I am thrilled to announce Manny Roman as FDU's new head baseball coach," remarked Hurlbut. "Manny has done a terrific job as our assistant coach and played a tremendous role in the resurgence of Knights baseball. He will be able to seamlessly continue the rebuilding process begun under Rob DiToma and take the Burgundy and Blue to even greater heights. Manny is well-respected in the coaching ranks and our student-athletes feed off of his energy and baseball knowledge. We are all excited about the Roman era of Knights baseball!"

In one season as a member of FDU's staff, Roman worked with FDU's arsenal of 19 pitchers to improve the staff's ERA and in the process, the Knights' arms tallied 407 strikeouts under his tutelage while holding opponents to a .283 average at the plate. As a result of the efforts, FDU pitchers broke the single-season strikeout record and improved in nearly all statistical categories in 2022 with Roman leading their staff.

"I want to thank Brad Hurlbut, Jason Young and the entire athletic department at FDU for entrusting me with the baseball program," said Roman. "I would also like to thank Coach DiToma for bringing me on his staff this past year and allowing me to learn by his side. A great foundation has been laid for this program and we will be looking to build on it for years to come. Being a Division I head coach has been a dream of mine since I got into coaching. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and I can't wait to get started."

Roman and his fiancé Samantha Hartman reside in Red Bank, N.J. with their son, Jayden. Roman is a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Red Bank.

Fans stay stay connected with FDU baseball on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsBASE.