The Atlanta Falcons and Virginia Tech legend joins Bill Belichick as first time college head coaches this week
The ranks of head coaches in college football have gotten a major influx of big names over the last week with Bill Belichick taking over the University of North Carolina’s job and, now, Michael Vick reportedly taking the same job at Norfolk State.
Vick’s name became a hot topic on Monday with reports that Sacramento State was in discussions to bring him in as their head coach. That report led to an interesting back-and-forth between Adam Schefter and Doug Gottlieb with bombs being sent back and forth on social media.
A day later, Norfolk State, not Sacramento State, is the one that will have Vick manning the sidelines:
The deal is done: Michael Vick is Norfolk State’s next head football coach. Would not be surprised if his staff has a #Hokies flavor. https://t.co/wEZDsqbxJM
— David Teel (@ByDavidTeel) December 17, 2024
The Spartans, a part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, went 4-8 in 2024 leading to the firing of Dawson Odums after four seasons at the helm. Odums compiled a 15-31 record during his tenure with the team.
Vick became a household name as the dynamic quarterback at Virginia Tech in 1999 and 2000 including a third-place finish in the 1999 Heisman Trophy voting. A true dual-threat quarterback, Vick threw for over 3,000 yards and rushed for over 1,200 in his two seasons in Blacksburg before becoming the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft.
Taking over as the Atlanta Falcons starter late in his rookie season, Vick’s style of play had fans in awe. With a powerful arm and quick feet, Vick would go on to compile over 11,000 yards passing and over 3,800 yards rushing in six years with the Falcons.
A dog fighting charge and plea deal kept Vick out of the league for two years before he returned with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 for five seasons.
Vick last took an NFL snap in 2015 as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Norfolk State hopes that Vick can find similar success as Deion Sanders, Coach Prime, has as a superstar athlete transitioning to the coaching realm. Sanders took over Jackson State for three seasons before being named the head coach at Colorado in 2023. Sanders’ program has elevated the Buffaloes to a 9-3 record in just their second season.
With no coaching experience, it will be important for Vick to fill out his staff with experienced coaches and recruiters. According to a report, Vick has already started to reach out to potential assistants and staff noting “some of his hires likely will be familiar to fans.”
An official announcement is expected later this week.
