Norfolk State University has officially appointed Michael Vick as its new head football coach, a decision announced on Friday that reflects a growing trend of successful NFL players stepping into leadership roles at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) without prior college coaching experience.
Vick’s hiring received unanimous approval from the university’s board of visitors, according to a statement from Norfolk State’s athletic director, Melody Webb. “I feel blessed and humbled by this opportunity to lead, mentor, and transform the football program at Norfolk State University,” Vick remarked in a release.
At 44 years old, Vick shared his acceptance of the role on his Facebook page earlier this week. The former Virginia Tech standout and 2001 NFL draft’s first overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons now joins the ranks of other high-profile athletes who have transitioned to coaching at HBCUs.
Notably, Deion Sanders, a Hall of Famer, gained recognition for his leadership at Jackson State from 2020 to 2022, guiding the team to two Celebration Bowls, showcasing the champions from two HBCU leagues: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Currently, Sanders is the head coach at Colorado.
Similarly, Eddie George, who won the Heisman Trophy and had a successful NFL career, was named the head coach at Tennessee State in 2021. Under his leadership, the team made an appearance in the FCS playoffs this season, achieving a record of 9-4.
Norfolk State officials are optimistic that Vick will bring significant improvements to their program. Athletic director Webb emphasized that Vick is one of the finest athletes to emerge from the area and expressed confidence in his ability to attract top talent to the university. “I am certain that our football program will build sustainable recruiting pipelines throughout Virginia and across the nation with this appointment,” she stated.
While the announcement did not mention Vick’s past legal issues related to a dogfighting operation during his time with the Falcons, it’s evident that he has made significant personal changes since then. Vick served 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to the charges and, following his release in 2009, returned to the NFL, achieving the AP Comeback Player of the Year award with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010. However, his peak performance years were behind him, and he announced his retirement in 2017.
Since then, Vick has actively campaigned against animal cruelty and has worked as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports. His official introduction at Norfolk State is scheduled for Monday.
Vick expressed enthusiasm about joining the university, noting its prestigious status as an HBCU with a strong athletic legacy. “Norfolk State provides an excellent environment for students to grow both on the field and academically,” he stated. “I am excited to become part of the Norfolk State family.”
Norfolk State recently parted ways with previous coach Dawson Odums after a challenging 4-8 season. The Spartans have only made one appearance in the FCS playoffs, which was in 2011, where they faced a defeat against in-state rival Old Dominion.
Before deciding on Norfolk State, Vick was also in discussions with Sacramento State regarding its head coaching vacancy.