Michael Vick Rejects Virginia Tech Speculation, Stays Focused on Norfolk State
Three games into his first season as Norfolk State's head coach, Vick says his attention is on the Spartans despite Virginia Tech's vacancy.
Michael Vick on Monday dismissed speculation that he is angling for the Virginia Tech head-coaching job and said his sole focus remains on leading Norfolk State.
The former NFL quarterback, three games into his inaugural season as Norfolk State's head coach, spoke directly to questions about his collegiate alma mater after Virginia Tech parted ways with Brent Pry following an 0-3 start. "This team’s got to follow my lead," Vick told HBCU Gameday. "My primary focus right now is Norfolk State. That’s all we can focus on. I hope they’re not reading the newspaper clippings or looking into what’s happening on the social pages, because I don’t do it. We’ve got Sacred Heart this week. That’s the most important thing in our lives right now."
Vick, who played collegiately at Virginia Tech before a 13-season NFL career, took the Norfolk State job this year and is working to steady a program that entered the Sept. 20 game against Sacred Heart with a 1-2 record. He emphasized preparation and cohesion as priorities for the Spartans and pushed back on distractions from media coverage and social media chatter.
The 2001 No. 1 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons has long expressed interest in coaching. His post-playing résumé includes a coaching internship under Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid and a stint as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football in 2019. In earlier interviews, Vick said he would welcome an opportunity to learn under Reid or to coach with the Falcons.
Vick finished his collegiate career at Virginia Tech with 3,074 passing yards and 20 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, and he added 16 rushing touchdowns. Known for his dual-threat ability, Vick ranked among the NFL's most productive rushing quarterbacks during his career. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson surpassed Vick on the NFL's all-time quarterback rushing yards list after a recent performance that pushed Jackson past Vick's total.
Virginia Tech publicly announced its decision to move on from Brent Pry after an 0-3 start; the Hokies' vacancy has prompted outside interest and media headlines linking former players and alumni to the post. Vick declined to engage with such speculation, reiterating his commitment to Norfolk State and to the immediate task of preparing for the Spartans' upcoming games.
Norfolk State's early-season results will shape perceptions of Vick's transition from pro player and broadcaster to head coach. For now, he and his staff are concentrating on player development, game planning and avoiding the distractions that accompany coaching vacancies at higher-profile programs.