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Is Michael Vick coaching Norfolk State? Former NFL star turns to college ranks
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- Is Michael Vick coaching Norfolk State? Former NFL star turns to college ranks
Deion Sanders started a revolution with former NFL players becoming college football coaches. Another prominent pro is joining the ranks in 2025.
Michael Vick, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2001 NFL Draft, was hired as the head coach of HBCU Norfolk State over the offseason, with the four-time Pro Bowler set to coach his first game against Towson on Thursday, Aug. 28.
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REQUIRED READING: Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Michael Vick headline College Football Hall of Fame 2025 class
Vick has limited coaching experience, somewhat similar to Sanders when the Pro Football Hall of Famer was hired by Jackson State in 2020. Vick's lone season as a coach came as offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Legends, an Alliance of American Football League team that lasted only one season before the league shut down.
Vick's former Philadelphia Eagles teammate, DeSean Jackson, also entered the coaching ranks in the offseason, after Jackson was hired by Delaware State. The two former NFL standouts face off on Oct. 30 when Norfolk State hosts Jackson and Delaware State.
Vick is one of multiple NFL coaches to be hired by HBCUs in recent years, including Sanders, Jackson and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George, who's now at Bowling Green after coaching at Tennessee State from 2021-24.
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Vick was notably sentenced to 23 months in prison for his involvement with a dogfighting ring and missed the 2007 and 2008 NFL seasons. He has since become an activist against dogfighting, donating to animal rights organizations and also advocating for anti-dogfighting legislation. He served 18 months in prison before serving the final five months in home confinement.
Here's what to know of Vick as he heads into his first year as a college head coach.
Is Michael Vick coaching at Norfolk State?
Vick was hired as Norfolk State's head coach on Dec. 20, becoming the latest former NFL star to take over an HBCU program with little to no coaching experience.
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"I am blessed and humbled by this opportunity to lead, mentor, and transform the football program at Norfolk State University," Vick said in a statement. "A prestigious HBCU with a rich athletics history, NSU provides a tremendous environment for students to reach their full potential on the field and just as importantly, in the classroom. I am honored to join the Norfolk State family and welcome your support as we embark on this journey together. BEHOLD THE GREEN AND GOLD."
Norfolk State, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is located approximately 20 miles from Vick's hometown of Newport News, Virginia. Vick starred at Virginia Tech, serving as the Hokies ' starter for two seasons from 1999-2000 He led Virginia Tech to the 1999 national championship as a redshirt freshman before it fell to Florida State .
Vick finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1999 after rushing for 585 yards with eight touchdowns while also throwing for 1,840 yards with 12 touchdowns to five interceptions. He finished sixth in Heisman voting in 2000 before he was selected No. 1 overall by the Atlanta Falcons , where he was an instant NFL star.
Norfolk State has confidence Vick can see instant success, similar to that of Sanders and George.
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"Coach Vick is one of the most electric athletes to ever come out of Virginia," Norfolk State athletic director Melony Webb said in a statement. "From humble beginnings to massive stardom, we hope that his story will translate to student-athletes here at Norfolk State. I am confident that our football program will establish sustainable recruiting pipelines in the state of Virginia and across the country with this hire."
Michael Vick NFL stats
Here are Vick's year-by year stats in the NFL, where he was selected to four Pro Bowls and was the 2010 Comeback Player of the Year.
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2001 (Atlanta Falcons):50 of 113 passing (44.2%) for 785 yards with two touchdowns to three interceptions; 31 rushes for 289 yards with a touchdown
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2002 (Atlanta Falcons):231 of 421 passing (54.9%) for 2,936 yards with 16 touchdowns to eight interceptions; 113 rushes for 777 yards with eight touchdowns
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2003 (Atlanta Falcons):50 of 100 passing (50%) for 585 yards with four touchdowns to three interceptions; 40 rushes for 255 yards with a touchdown
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2004 (Atlanta Falcons):181 of 321 passing (56.4%) for 2,313 yards with 14 touchdowns to 12 interceptions; 120 rushes for 902 yards with four touchdowns
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2005 (Atlanta Falcons):214 of 387 passing (55.3%) for 2,412 yards with 15 touchdowns to 13 interceptions; 102 rushes for 597 yards with six touchdowns
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2006 (Atlanta Falcons):204 of 388 passing (52.6%) for 2,474 yards with 20 touchdowns to 13 interceptions; 123 rushes for 1,039 yards and two touchdowns
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2007:Suspended, imprisoned
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2008:Suspended, imprisoned
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2009 ( Philadelphia Eagles ):6 of 13 passing (46.2%) for 86 yards with a touchdown; 24 rushes for 95 yards with two touchdowns
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2010 (Philadelphia Eagles):233 of 373 passing (62.6%) for 3,018 yards with 21 touchdowns to six interceptions; 100 rushes for 676 yards with nine touchdowns
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2011 (Philadelphia Eagles):253 of 423 passing (59.8%) for 3,303 yards with 18 touchdowns to 14 interceptions; 76 rushes for 589 yards with a touchdown
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2012 (Philadelphia Eagles):204 of 351 passing (58.1%) for 2,362 yards with 12 touchdowns to 10 interceptions; 62 rushes for 332 yards with a touchdown
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2013 (Philadelphia Eagles):77 of 141 passing (54.6%) for 1,215 yards with five touchdowns to three interceptions; 36 rushes for 306 yards with two touchdowns
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2014 ( New York Jets ):64 of 121 passing (52.9%) for 604 yards with three touchdowns to two interceptions; 26 rushes for 153 yards
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2015 ( Pittsburgh Steelers ):40 of 66 passing (60.6%) for 371 yards with two touchdowns to an interception; 20 rushes for 99 yards
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Norfolk State's coach? Michael Vick takes over on sidelines
