Michael Vick has accepted the position of head coach at Norfolk State, marking his return to football. The former NFL star, who has never coached at any level, made the announcement on his Facebook page on Tuesday night. Norfolk State has yet to confirm the hiring, but Vick expressed his excitement about returning to his hometown of Newport News.
Vick was a standout player at Virginia Tech and went on to become a four-time Pro Bowler during his 13-season NFL career with Atlanta, Philadelphia, the New York Jets, and Pittsburgh. He was known for revolutionizing the quarterback position, excelling as both a passer and a rusher.
Vick’s career took a significant turn when he served 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to his involvement in a dogfighting ring. Following his release in 2009, he made a successful return to the NFL and won the AP Comeback Player of the Year award in 2010 with the Eagles. However, his best years as a player were behind him at that point.
Vick retired from playing football in 2017 and has since become an advocate against animal cruelty. He also worked as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports.
The news of Vick’s hiring by Norfolk State was initially reported on Tuesday by the Virginian-Pilot.
Norfolk State dismissed coach Dawson Odums in November following a 4-8 season. The school, a historically Black institution, competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Spartans have only made one appearance in the FCS playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round by in-state rival Old Dominion in 2011.
Before accepting the head coaching role at Norfolk State, Vick also held discussions with Sacramento State regarding its vacant head coaching position.
