Former NFL star Michael Vick named head football coach at Norfolk State
Updated: 4:13 PM PST Dec 21, 2024
Well, um Chancellor Bubba, um thank you. Um I can't um express my gratitude to both of you, the board of trustees um for this um amazing opportunity. Um I've always, I always wanted to coach in football, uh coach in college football and um uh it just never really worked out. Um I had some good years in the NFL, so that was ok. But um this is really kind of *** dream come true. I, I grew up in college football with my dad uh as *** coach at Navy for 50 years. So uh as *** kid, all I knew was college football. And um and so it's great to, to come back home to Carolina. Uh And um you know, back in an environment that I, I really grew up in, um you know, when you're little, you don't remember everything. Obviously, I was too young to remember *** lot of things from Carolina. But as, as I grew up, you know, you hear the same story over and over and over and over again. And so one story I always heard was Billy's first words were beat Duke. So, uh full circle. But um again, very, uh grateful and appreciative uh for the opportunity. Um This is *** great process. Uh I've learned so much about the university and the support that uh we have for the football program. Um and this is ***, you know, obviously *** great educational um school and, and the kids here are outstanding and, uh we wanna, you know, transfer that over to the football field and have an outstanding football team, uh with those student athletes. So, um you know, I'm here to, to um as Bubba said, um teach develop uh and build uh the program and in the way that I believe in and so grateful to have Michael. Um you know, with me in this process, Michael and I worked together for uh going all the way back over 30 years and um you know, he has *** great uh knowledge of, of the general manager uh role of if you will in this type of position uh with, in terms of, you know, scouting two sets of players, high school players and college portal players as well as um dealing with some version of it's called salary cap, which is uh now, um you know, part of college football. So, um all that being said, um I look forward to um working, you know, here. Uh I talked to the players *** little earlier and, you know, it was ***, *** great opportunity to, to um start to get to know them and, and start to build the program. Um, and I'm, I'm excited to continue that process, um, and also met with coach kitchens, uh, who will be, you know, the first member of the staff that we hire. And, um, you know, I have *** ton of respect for him, um, as well as for Mac. Um, you know, there's *** lot of respect for Mac and, and his, his career, what he's done. Uh, so, uh, I also look forward to, you know, connecting with him down the road, but um excited to be here, excited to be in college football. Uh excited for the opportunity to, to build and develop young student athletes, young men and prepare them for um their life either in the NFL or professionally. Uh but the lessons they learn uh will be the professional lessons, uh they'll be pros uh in all areas and, and that's what we want to develop as long as, as well as having *** winning program, *** successful program. But we want to develop good, good people and good kids and good football players. So, Steve, thank you, coach. Um
Former NFL star Michael Vick named head football coach at Norfolk State
Updated: 4:13 PM PST Dec 21, 2024
Norfolk State officially named Michael Vick its head football coach Friday, the latest hire of a talented NFL player with no college coaching experience to lead an HBCU program.Vick's addition was unanimously approved by the school's board of visitors, Norfolk State athletic director Melody Webb said in a release from the university.“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.The 44-year-old Vick announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday night that he has accepted the job.Vick, who starred at Virginia Tech and was selected No. 1 overall by Atlanta in the 2001 NFL draft, becomes the latest pro standout to lead an HBCU school without any college coaching experience.NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders had coached youth and prep football when he led Jackson State from 2020 to 2022. The team made two Celebration Bowls, a postseason game contested by the champions of two HBCU leagues, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.Sanders has coached Colorado the past two seasons.Eddie George, a Heisman Trophy-winning running back who rushed for 10,441 yards in nine NFL seasons, was hired at Tennessee State in 2021 and led the team to the FCS playoffs this season, finishing 9-4.Norfolk State is convinced Vick can make similar strides with its program.Webb, the school's AD, said Vick was among the greatest athletes to come out of the region and that his hire will attract talented players to the school.“I am confident that our football program will establish sustainable recruiting pipelines in the state of Virginia and across the country with this hire,” she said.The school's release didn't mention Vick's high-profile troubles with a dogfighting ring in the prime of his career with the Falcons.Vick served 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role. After his release in 2009, he returned to the NFL and won AP Comeback Player of the Year with the Eagles in 2010, but his best years were behind him.He retired in 2017 and has advocated against animal cruelty while also working as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports.Vick will be formally introduced on campus Monday.“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," Vick said. “I am honored to join the Norfolk State family.”Norfolk State fired coach Dawson Odums in November after a 4-8 season. The Spartans have made one appearance in the FCS playoffs, losing in the first round to in-state rival Old Dominion in 2011.Before accepting the Norfolk State job, Vick also spoke to Sacramento State about its open head coaching position.
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State officially named Michael Vick its head football coach Friday, the latest hire of a talented NFL player with no college coaching experience to lead an HBCU program.
Vick's addition was unanimously approved by the school's board of visitors, Norfolk State athletic director Melody Webb said in a release from the university.
“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.
The 44-year-old Vick announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday night that he has accepted the job.
Vick, who starred at Virginia Tech and was selected No. 1 overall by Atlanta in the 2001 NFL draft, becomes the latest pro standout to lead an HBCU school without any college coaching experience.
NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders had coached youth and prep football when he led Jackson State from 2020 to 2022. The team made two Celebration Bowls, a postseason game contested by the champions of two HBCU leagues, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Sanders has coached Colorado the past two seasons.
Eddie George, a Heisman Trophy-winning running back who rushed for 10,441 yards in nine NFL seasons, was hired at Tennessee State in 2021 and led the team to the FCS playoffs this season, finishing 9-4.
Norfolk State is convinced Vick can make similar strides with its program.
Webb, the school's AD, said Vick was among the greatest athletes to come out of the region and that his hire will attract talented players to the school.
“I am confident that our football program will establish sustainable recruiting pipelines in the state of Virginia and across the country with this hire,” she said.
The school's release didn't mention Vick's high-profile troubles with a dogfighting ring in the prime of his career with the Falcons.
Vick served 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role. After his release in 2009, he returned to the NFL and won AP Comeback Player of the Year with the Eagles in 2010, but his best years were behind him.
He retired in 2017 and has advocated against animal cruelty while also working as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports.
Vick will be formally introduced on campus Monday.
“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," Vick said. “I am honored to join the Norfolk State family.”
Norfolk State fired coach Dawson Odums in November after a 4-8 season. The Spartans have made one appearance in the FCS playoffs, losing in the first round to in-state rival Old Dominion in 2011.
Before accepting the Norfolk State job, Vick also spoke to Sacramento State about its open head coaching position.