Several rumors on Tuesday stated that one of the NFL’s most exciting quarterbacks, Michael Vick, will take over as Norfolk State University’s next head coach.
He will replace Dawson Odums, who was let go on November 26 following four seasons with a 15–31 record. “I know how to lead and I know what it takes,” Vick, 44, who has no coaching experience, told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper last week. Since 2017, he has worked for Fox Sports as an NFL commentator.
Vick, who grew up in Newport News, Virginia, was a standout player at Virginia Tech. In 2000, he guided the Hokies to the BCS National Championship Game, where they lost to Florida State. The Atlanta Falcons selected him first overall in the 2001 NFL Draft after he placed sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting that year.
Vick spent five of his 13 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and six with the Falcons. During his career, he passed for 22,464 yards and 133 touchdowns and was selected as a Pro Bowler four times. Although he was an excellent passer, his running prowess was what made him most famous.
With 6,109 yards, he leads all quarterbacks in NFL history, and with 36 touchdowns on the ground, he is ranked eighth. He was the first quarterback in history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season in 2008. Vick has been frequently credited with motivating dual-threat quarterbacks in recent years and is acknowledged for having contributed to the revolution of the position.
When Vick entered a guilty plea to his role in a dog fighting ring in 2007, his fame suffered a serious knock. After the Falcons released him, he was imprisoned in federal jail for 21 months. The Eagles signed him in 2009 when he completed his term. He was voted NFL Comeback Player of the Year the following season after leading Philadelphia to a division title.
In 2016, he formally retired.
Vick will be the most recent former NFL player to take a position as head coach at a college or university that is historically Black. Before departing for Colorado in 2022, Deion Sanders played for Jackson State for two years, finishing with a 27-6 record. Having just finished his fourth season at Tennessee State, Eddie George guided the Tigers to the FCS playoffs.
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