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Michael Vick's Rebirth at Norfolk State is Starting to Turn Heads
Michael Vick's Rebirth at Norfolk State is Starting to Turn Heads originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The sun was high, the beats were loud, and Black & Green No. 7 jerseys were everywhere. Not for a Deacon Jones Award Candidate, but for a coach. The name across the back said everything: Vick.
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The spring game at Norfolk State didn't feel like your typical preseason scrimmage. It was a movement similar to how Deion Sanders arrived at Jackson State. Bounce houses and food trucks surrounded William "Dick" Price Stadium, it was like a mini Essence Fest. Basketball Hall of Famer Allen Iverson hugged old friends like it was a family reunion. NFL QB Tyrod Taylor flashed his signature grin while talking ball with undefeated lightweight phenom Keyshawn Davis, a hometown kid turned rising star in the boxing ring.
This all felt like a cultural reset.
The V7 Era Begins
Michael Vick was one of the most electric quarterbacks to ever touch a football field. Now, as the head coach of Norfolk State University, he'll look to make waves. If that sentence felt jarring, it's only because we haven't seen something like this before. A former NFL star dropping anchor at an HBCU, not for a quick PR splash but to build something lasting.
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Vick wasted no time imprinting his signature touches on the program. His V7Sports media platform is an all-access pass to Spartan football, highlighting a behind-the-scenes look. It's part documentary and part recruiting tool with Vick's authentic, bold, and unfiltered outlook.
'Are we the most talented team in the country right now? Probably not,' Vick told the team. 'Can we be the toughest? (expletive) right.'
From Prime Time to Purpose
There's a gravity around Norfolk State football right now, and it's not just Vick's name that's pulling the program forward. It's the staff behind the former QB putting in work.
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This is a coaching Avengers squad, built from NFL and elite collegiate DNA.
Tory Woodbury (Special Teams) played eight years in the league.
Darryl Bullock (Assistant Head Coach) won a national title at Penn State and interned with four NFL franchises.
Izaan Cross (DL Coach) trained under Pro Bowl linemen in Buffalo.
Terence Garvin (Defensive Coordinator) won an Orange Bowl and played six NFL seasons.
Laroy Reynolds (LB Coach), a Norfolk native, lasted nine seasons in the league and won the Ed Block Courage Award.
Dre Kendricks (RB Coach) scored twice in the 2000 National Championship game at Virginia Tech.
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Tim Smith (WR Coach) and Ellton Brown (OL Coach) bring more ACC and NFL firepower.
'I'm confident I got the right staff to guide the ship,' Vick said. 'That makes it comfortable.'
And that belief trickles down to the players on the NSU roster.
Air It Out, Lock It Down
Norfolk State's identity will be defined by tempo. Sheppard takes over as OC and brings a no-huddle, Air Raid attack with pedigree across multiple FCS programs. He's known for turning quarterbacks into playmakers. And with dynamic talents like Izzy Carter, the only thing standing between NSU and offensive fireworks is reps.
'Going into Coach Sheppard's offense takes some thinking,' Kendricks noted. 'It's up-tempo. It takes knowing what you're doing.'
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But don't let the spread offense fool you. This team wants to punch you in the mouth. The defense, led by Garvin and Reynolds, is anchored in discipline and aggression. Preparation and minimizing errors are central to the culture.
'We preach that football is important,' Vick said. 'But the most valuable asset is getting that degree. Hopefully, they appreciate that.'
Related: Fans in Disbelief over EA Sports' decision on HBCU's in College Football 26
HBCU Excellence Across Campus
Vick's arrival made headlines, but it's part of a broader wave of success at Norfolk State. The women's basketball team has become the crown jewel of the athletic department, recently earning a No. 4 ranking in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25, and capturing their third straight MEAC Tournament title. They're also the only HBCU to go undefeated in conference play.
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It's a renaissance at NSU and Vick wants to make sure football rises with the tide.
Related: FAMU Athletic Director Angela Suggs Arrested on Felony Charges Over Alleged Fraud
Legacy in the Making
What Vick is building isn't just about wins and losses. It's about legacy and Culture. 'I'm trying to establish a program where ten years from now, the culture remains the same,' Vick said. 'The standard remains the same. It's a winning atmosphere.'
Because this isn't just about resurrecting a football program. It's about redefining what's possible, if you put roots down.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
