IHSA - Illinois High School Association
01/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/14/2026 10:45
Brian Rohman to join the IHSA Staff as an Assistant Executive Director in 2026-27
During its meeting on January 14, 2026, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors approved the hiring of Brian Rohman (right) as the IHSA's next Assistant Executive Director. A current Assistant Principal at University High School (U-High) in Normal, Rohman will fill the void created by the forthcoming retirement of IHSA Assistant Executive Director Susie Knoblauch on July 1.
"Brian has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student-centered leadership throughout his career as a teacher, coach, and administrator," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. "We are excited to welcome him to our team and look forward to the positive impact he will have as he works in support of our member schools and students."
Rohman's exact responsibilities will be determined closer to his start date at the IHSA, which is slated for early July, but with a strong background in activities, he is expected to fill many of Knoblauch's current duties, which include overseeing the IHSA's drama, music, and speech offerings. Rohman will become the 39th individual in the IHSA's history to hold the title of Assistant Executive Director on the Association's administrative staff.
"I am excited to be a part of the storied history of the Illinois High School Association," said Rohman. "It has truly been a dream of mine to join the team here for a number of years. I look forward to continuing to support and grow high school athletics and activities across Illinois. As a product of the IHSA, I know that I would not be the person or professional I am today without these formative experiences."
Rohman began his education career as an English teacher at United Township High School in East Moline in 2014. After one year there, the Illinois State University (ISU) graduate was afforded the opportunity to come 'home', as he accepted the same position at U-High in 2015. Rohman ascended to the U-High English Department Chair in 2021 and then was promoted to his current Assistant Principal role in 2023. He was actively involved in speech and debate throughout at his time at U-High, serving as an assistant coach in both from 2015-2019 and then as the head coach for each from 2019-2024.
"I will forever be grateful for my time at U-High," said Rohman. "I was able to grow as an educator and coach by being able to take chances, make mistakes, and learn along the way. It is a bittersweet end to my time there as I embark on the next chapter of my life."
Rohman is a 2009 graduate of Metamora Township High School, where he participated in speech, theatre, and marching band. He has previously served on IHSA Advisory Committees for various activities, hosted multiple State Series events, and served as both a tournament manager and judge.
"We are proud of the wide range of participation opportunities the IHSA provides high school students across Illinois through our activities," said Anderson. "Brian's experience in activities will be critical not only in helping us sustain these programs, but in ensuring they continue to grow and evolve in the years ahead."
Rohman has received several accommodations in his career, including the Jerry Mathis Young Teacher Award from the Illinois Communication and Theatre Association in 2017 and the University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award in 2020. A Bone Scholarship recipient at ISU as an undergraduate studying Communication Education, Rohman earned master's degrees from ISU in Communication Education in 2018 and in P-12 Educational Administration in 2025. He is also a member of the Illinois Principals Association and the Illinois Communication and Theatre Association, having served the latter in a variety of leadership roles, including as a past President.
"I am grateful to all the mentors I have had over the years," said Rohman. "At every step of my journey, they have provided guidance and support. It is only with their support, and the support of my family, that I am ready to take on the challenges of this role."
Brian's wife, Rachel, works as a Physical Therapist in Bloomington-Normal, where they reside with their children, James and Evelyn.
"Brian has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student-centered leadership throughout his career as a teacher, coach, and administrator," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. "We are excited to welcome him to our team and look forward to the positive impact he will have as he works in support of our member schools and students."
Rohman's exact responsibilities will be determined closer to his start date at the IHSA, which is slated for early July, but with a strong background in activities, he is expected to fill many of Knoblauch's current duties, which include overseeing the IHSA's drama, music, and speech offerings. Rohman will become the 39th individual in the IHSA's history to hold the title of Assistant Executive Director on the Association's administrative staff.
"I am excited to be a part of the storied history of the Illinois High School Association," said Rohman. "It has truly been a dream of mine to join the team here for a number of years. I look forward to continuing to support and grow high school athletics and activities across Illinois. As a product of the IHSA, I know that I would not be the person or professional I am today without these formative experiences."
Rohman began his education career as an English teacher at United Township High School in East Moline in 2014. After one year there, the Illinois State University (ISU) graduate was afforded the opportunity to come 'home', as he accepted the same position at U-High in 2015. Rohman ascended to the U-High English Department Chair in 2021 and then was promoted to his current Assistant Principal role in 2023. He was actively involved in speech and debate throughout at his time at U-High, serving as an assistant coach in both from 2015-2019 and then as the head coach for each from 2019-2024.
"I will forever be grateful for my time at U-High," said Rohman. "I was able to grow as an educator and coach by being able to take chances, make mistakes, and learn along the way. It is a bittersweet end to my time there as I embark on the next chapter of my life."
Rohman is a 2009 graduate of Metamora Township High School, where he participated in speech, theatre, and marching band. He has previously served on IHSA Advisory Committees for various activities, hosted multiple State Series events, and served as both a tournament manager and judge.
"We are proud of the wide range of participation opportunities the IHSA provides high school students across Illinois through our activities," said Anderson. "Brian's experience in activities will be critical not only in helping us sustain these programs, but in ensuring they continue to grow and evolve in the years ahead."
Rohman has received several accommodations in his career, including the Jerry Mathis Young Teacher Award from the Illinois Communication and Theatre Association in 2017 and the University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award in 2020. A Bone Scholarship recipient at ISU as an undergraduate studying Communication Education, Rohman earned master's degrees from ISU in Communication Education in 2018 and in P-12 Educational Administration in 2025. He is also a member of the Illinois Principals Association and the Illinois Communication and Theatre Association, having served the latter in a variety of leadership roles, including as a past President.
"I am grateful to all the mentors I have had over the years," said Rohman. "At every step of my journey, they have provided guidance and support. It is only with their support, and the support of my family, that I am ready to take on the challenges of this role."
Brian's wife, Rachel, works as a Physical Therapist in Bloomington-Normal, where they reside with their children, James and Evelyn.
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