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. Vick, 44, told The Virginian-Pilot this week that despite his lack of coaching experience, “I know how to lead and I know what it takes.” 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 as the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft after he placed sixth for the Heisman Trophy 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 Vick was an excellent quarterback, his running prowess was what made him most famous.
He has the most yards (6,109) in NFL history and the eighth-most touchdowns (36 on the ground). He was the first quarterback in history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season in 2008. Vick has received multiple accolades for 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. He was signed by the Eagles in 2009 after completing his term. He won NFL Comeback Player of the Year and guided Philadelphia to a division title the next season.
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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