Rockford University

Rockford University is proud to welcome Mike Winters as the new Head Coach of the Regents' Women's Basketball program. A 1997 Rockford University alumnus, Winters brings more than 25 years of coaching and teaching experience across Northern Illinois.

A seasoned educator and coach, Winters began his career shortly after graduating from Rockford with a degree in History. He went on to earn a Master’s in Instructional Technology from St. Thomas University in 2017. His early coaching journey included assistant coaching roles in basketball and baseball while teaching social studies and alternative education (1997–2002). 

In 2003, Winters became the head boys basketball coach at Jefferson High School, where he led the team to its first-ever NIC-10 Conference Championship in 2004 and its first state trophy in 2005, finishing fourth in Illinois. He continued his coaching success at Rock Falls High School (2005–2010), where he also served as Director of Alternative Education and taught U.S. History.

Winters’ career includes a wide array of educational and professional experiences. He taught and coached at Boylan Catholic High School (2011–2016), worked in broadcasting as an on-air talent for WIFR TV (2015–2017), and currently teaches social studies at Harlem High School.