Beloved football coach found shot to death

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A beloved football coach was found dead in his home Saturday, shot multiple times, and Houston police are asking for help to find his killer. Those close to Kevin Roman, 39, knew something was wrong when he didn't show up to a Clear Lake game on Friday.

Before starting a new job at KIPP Academy this school year, Roman coached and taught for more than 10 years at Clear Lake Christian School. It's a small school that feels like a family, and his impact on the students went far beyond the turf.

"The way that he took his own money and paid for kids' meals and stuff if they didn't have money -- or if they needed shoes, he would buy them out of his own pocket, those sort of things was not something he had to do, he did it because he loved the kids here," explained his friend and mentor, Robert Smith.

"It was like I lost a brother. It was like I lost a best friend," he said.

Roman was always the first teacher to dance at pep rallies and he was never shy about sharing his faith.

"He really liked to influence their lives and tell them about Jesus. It was very important to him to tell them about his faith and help them when they had difficult times," said Clear Lake Christian School Executive Director Marta Wisnoski.

Police found Roman's body inside his Sunnyside home on Sparrow Street on Saturday night, where he may have been for a few days. He had been shot multiple times and his gray Jeep Grand Cherokee is missing.

His friends and former students are mourning his death, hoping someone will come forward to help police find his killer.

"You would be helping the person who was one of the best people in the world. Whoever did this to Kevin, you could have asked him for whatever you got. You didn't have to shoot him and take him," Smith said.

Roman's Jeep has the license plate number FPS-4712. If you have seen his Jeep or have any information on this case, call the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Friends have set up a GoFundMe account to help Roman's family pay for his funeral. You can click here to donate:

KIPP Academy released the following statement:

"Over the weekend, we received information that our new flag football coach had passed away. Although he had only been at KIPP Academy for a few weeks, he took the time to get to know our students and school.

We have had counseling available on campus today and will continue to provide support. His family is in our thoughts and prayers."