Former NFL superstar Michael Vick will take the reins as the head coach of Norfolk State University’s football program.
According to a report from The Virginian-Pilot, both parties finalized terms on Tuesday morning, making Vick’s first step into the world of coaching.
Vick’s journey to becoming a head coach is as unexpected as it is intriguing. Despite having no prior coaching experience, Norfolk State—a historically Black university in Virginia—has placed its trust in Vick to revitalize its football program. The move is already being compared to other recent high-profile coaching hires, such as Deion Sanders’ who has been celebrated for transitioning to college coaching.
Vick, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, had a remarkable career but it was controversial. His time with the Atlanta Falcons made him the face of the league, but his involvement in a dogfighting scandal in 2007 led to prison time and a temporary halt to his career. Vick returned to the NFL in 2009, eventually earning a Pro Bowl nod with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In The Quintessential Gentleman‘s 2018 Cover interview with Vick, he said this about leaving a lasting legacy: “I want to leave knowing that the world knew I was a respectable man and that I had faults, but as I grew older, I learned from my mistakes. For that alone, I became a better person.”
Unlike some other recent coaching hires, Vick’s path to Norfolk State doesn’t come with a coaching résumé. However, the university is betting on his football IQ, leadership skills, and star power to draw attention to its program and attract top-tier talent.
While this move may be seen as a gamble by some, it aligns with a growing trend in college football: leveraging big names to inject energy and visibility into programs.
As the Spartans gear up for the next season, all eyes will be on Michael Vick to see if he can bring the same electrifying energy to the sideline that he once brought to the gridiron. Whether he succeeds or faces challenges, one thing is certain: Norfolk State has just become one of the most talked-about programs in college football.
