ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Rockford University athletic director Jessica Stanek has announced the hire of Mike Winters as the next head coach of the Regents' women's basketball program. Winters, a 1997 Rockford alum, brings with him more than 25 years of teaching and coaching experience across Northern Illinois.
"I am eager to work with Mike Winters and have him on staff this season, Stanek said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. His ties to the Rockford and Stateline area are an added bonus and will be an asset for recruiting."
Winters graduated from Rockford University with a degree in History. He later earned a Master's in Instructional Technology from St. Thomas University in 2017.
Shortly after completing his undergraduate studies, Winters began his career in education and coaching as an assistant boys basketball and baseball coach while serving as an alternative discipline and social studies teacher (1997-2002). He then moved on to Oregon High School (2002-2003), where he served as the varsity boys head coach and social studies teacher.
In 2003, Winters returned to Jefferson High School, where he led the boys basketball team to its first-ever conference championship (2004) and first-ever state trophy (2005), finishing fourth in Illinois. He spent two seasons there before taking over at Rock Falls High School (2005-2010), where he served as both the varsity boys basketball coach and Director of Alternative Education while teaching U.S. History.
After a brief stint as a financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments (May 2010 - July 2011), Winters returned to education and coaching at Boylan Catholic High School (2011-2016), where he taught social studies and physical education. he also expanded his professional scope into broadcasting, working as an on-air talent for WIFR TV (2015-2017), handling play-by-play, pregame interviews, and hosting halftime and post-game shows.
Currently, Winters serves as a social studies teacher at Harlem High School.
"I am honored to be named the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Rockford University. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a program at my alma mater," Winters said, "I look forward to building and fostering a culture of hard work and accountability, and helping our players succeed both on and off the court. I am grateful to the Rockford University administration for their confidence in me, and I cannot wait to get started."
