Michael Vick Norfolk State Football
Norfolk State Athletics
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Michael Vick will not subscribe to outside narratives during his first college football season at Norfolk State. The legendary NFL quarterback refuses to accept his reality as a rookie head coach.
He is choosing instead to act like he has been here before.
Vick may not have any prior experience in this specific role but it’s not like he doesn’t know what he is doing. As a result, the Spartans have high expectations for his first college football season at the helm.
Michael Vick will not settle.
Norfolk State will play its first game at home on Aug. 28. It will host Towson and Virginia State before they travel north to Rutgers in Week 3.
It would be a great success if the Spartans can start the year at 2-1. Even just five wins in total would be an improvement over the last three seasons. They have had just one winning record since 2007!
Vick expects that to change. This year is going to be different.
“We know where we stand,” the first-year head coach said. “We know where we sit. And know where we’re coming from. But just because you’re at the bottom doesn’t mean you’ve got to stay there.”
When asked to describe his team in one word, Vick said “tough.” He is proud of their attitude throughout the first few weeks of fall camp, which has largely focused on playing as fast as possible.
“I just like the fact that our offense comes out and competes just as hard as our defense and vice versa and they push one another,” Vick added. “It’s like a heavyweight boxing match. I’ve never seen a football game where things are picture perfect and if you expect it to be picture perfect, you’re in the wrong business.”
Although Norfolk State’s new head coach is willing to accept imperfection, he will not accept complacency. Michael Vick is only focused on the present despite what the past might say about his program and its ability to succeed.
Norfolk State is focused on the things it can control.
Vick also refuses to accept reality in terms of his new role. He might be a rookie when it comes to being a head coach but he is not going to let that define him.
“I know I’m a rookie head coach, but I’m not going to act like a rookie head coach,” Vick said. “I’m going to act like I’ve been here before. I want my players to be confident in me, any decision making, my abilities to trust them in all facets and all situations.”
However, Vick must also allow the process to take shape organically.
“I guess until I get to game day, get that first day under my built, I’ll feel like a rookie head coach, but every day I walk out here, I feel like I gain more experience, more confidence, more belief,” he added. “I think they gain more experience, more confidence, more belief in me.”
The Spartans still have work to do before the end of the month. Competition is high but starting quarterback Israel Carter credits his head coach with keeping the players level-headed.
“Don’t get too high in the moment,” Carter said. “Stay right there, like a duck in the water — feet moving but calm on the surface.”
Michael Vick seems to have Norfolk State trending in the right direction but only time will tell. Any improvement over last season is a great place to start.