Norfolk State is hiring former NFL quarterback Michael Vick as head coach, according to multiple reports.
Vick, 44, played collegiately for Virginia Tech and then was taken No. 1 overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL draft. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers in his professional career.
The decision to tap Vick, who has been an NFL analyst for Fox Sports since 2017, is a major gamble for Norfolk State, located near his hometown of Newport News, Virginia. Vick has never coached on any level of competition. He was also in contention for the opening at Sacramento State, according to reports.
But prior experience has become less and less of a dealbreaker for programs looking for the immediate spark provided by a big-name hire. Most famously, Jackson State hired Deion Sanders despite his lack of college coaching experience and went 27-6 over three seasons before Sanders left for the same position at Colorado.
One of the most unforgettable quarterbacks in modern college football history, Vick redshirted his first season before taking the sport by storm in his two seasons as Virginia Tech’s starter. Despite his underwhelming numbers by current standards – a combined 21 passing touchdowns, 17 rushing scores and 4,495 yards of total offense – Vick transformed the position with an unmatched blend of speed, power, explosiveness and athleticism.
After finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting as a redshirt freshman and leading the Hokies to the Bowl Championship Series title game in 1999, Vick declared for the 2001 NFL draft after his sophomore year and became the first Black quarterback to be taken first overall.
He made the Pro Bowl three times in Atlanta, finished second in the MVP voting in 2004 and set numerous franchise and NFL records. In 2006, Vick became the first quarterback to run for 1,000 yards and averaged a record 8.4 yards per carry.
But his career disintegrated shortly thereafter. In August 2007, Vick pleaded guilty to his part in a dogfighting ring and was sentenced to just under two years in federal prison. He was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
Vick signed with the Philadelphia Eagles upon his release from prison in 2009. He was the Eagles’ primary starter from 2010-12, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2010 after throwing for 3,018 yards and a career-high 21 touchdowns. His last season was with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015.