Michael Vick is set to begin his first season as Norfolk State’s head coach under the primetime lights, and he’s leaning on lessons from the coaches who shaped his own career.
“On a daily basis, I enjoy pouring into these young men, not just from a football perspective but academically and in life,” Vick said. “These guys are extensions of my family. It’s like having 113 sons on top of the two that I got. That’s what I signed up for.”
Vick points to longtime Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer as a major influence. “Coach Beamer had the best one: do things the right way,” Vick said. “Whether you’re on campus, in the dining hall, in the locker room, do things the right way. Nobody can question you or your character. That’ll serve its purpose later in life.”
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— Norfolk State Football 🔰 (@NorfolkStateFB) August 23, 2025
He also credits former Eagles coach Andy Reid with sharpening his football IQ. “I learned a lot from him. I spent so much time with him. He always made me explain the game plan back to him. That helped me as a quarterback, and now as a coach I can fall back on those lessons.”
For Vick, those lessons translate directly into his approach on the sideline. “I think what makes a great coach is being well-rounded. Being able to contribute in all three phases without overdoing it. Knowing what each situation calls for and knowing your boundaries. For me, it’s delegation, understanding, and building players and coaches of high character.”
Norfolk State will open the 2025 season on Thursday, August 28, hosting Towson at William “Dick” Price Stadium in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPNU. It marks the Spartans’ first Thursday night home game in over a decade.
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