Former NFL superstar Michael Vick has come full circle. The quarterback who took the league by storm in the early 2000s is set to become the next head coach at Virginia’s Norfolk State University.
Vick grew up about 20 miles from NSU’s campus in Newport News, Virginia.
Vick led Virginia Tech to an undefeated regular season and the National Championship game in 1999 as a freshman with his running ability and electric playing style. He was the first Black quarterback taken No. 1 overall in the NFL draft.
As a member of the Atlanta Falcons, he instantly rose to stardom and revolutionized the way NFL quarterbacks played the game. But his career was interrupted during its prime years.
In 2007, Vick was convicted for financing a dog fighting ring in his home state. He was sentenced to 23 months, ultimately spending 21 months in prison.
Upon his release and return to the NFL in 2009, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Two years later, Vick won the comeback player of the year award.
He played 13 seasons in the league for four different teams and went to the Pro Bowl four times.
Since his playing days, he’s worked tirelessly to mend his image in conjunction with animal rights advocates. Vick also works as a television football analyst for Fox Sports. He has never been a coach.
He takes over a Norfolk State program that posted a 15–30 record the last four seasons under former head coach Dawson Odums.
The Spartans play at the Football Championship Subdivision level in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The conference has seen its numbers dwindle to just six programs over the last couple of seasons.
He appeared to confirm the hire in a Facebook post Tuesday, Dec. 17 saying, “It’s an honor to announce that I’ll be the new head coach of Norfolk State University… looking forward to coming back home.”
On Wednesday, Dec. 18, Straight Arrow News contacted the university’s athletic department to confirm the hire. However, university officials told SAN they planned to release a statement on the coaching search soon.
