Current Norfolk State head coach and former Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick is seemingly in the running for another head-coaching opportunity. After the Hokies fired head coach Brent Pry on Sunday, outlets have started to discuss Vick potentially taking the helm in Blacksburg. But should he?
Virginia Tech fired Pry after a shocking 45-26 home loss to Old Dominion in Lane Stadium on Saturday. Under Pry, the Hokies went 16-24 throughout four seasons and started the 2025 campaign 0-3. The Hokies have struggled to stay relevant since the 29-year run of former legendary Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer. It’s also worth mentioning that the Hokies haven’t been ranked in the AP Top 25 since 2021.
The Hokies will now need a competent figure to lead their program during perhaps its darkest period in over 30 years. Aside from an ACC title-game appearance in 2016, Virginia Tech has been mostly mediocre.
Vick became the head coach at Norfolk State this past offseason after the debacle run of Dawson Odums. Odums went 15-30 across four seasons at the helm. The former No. 1 overall pick has aimed to turn around a program that is less than an hour away from where he grew up (Newport News, Virginia).
However, should Vick even consider taking the head-coaching job of a Power Four collegiate program in Virginia Tech? Sure, Vick spent two legendary seasons with the Hokies. In fact, Vick led the Hokies to an 11-1 campaign in 1999 and notched a BCS national title game berth. The former NFL quarterback also finished in the top six in Heisman Trophy voting across the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
Michael Vick doesn’t have enough experience yet as a head coach
The fairytale storyline would definitely write itself if Vick were to leave the Spartans and go to his alma mater. However, Vick is in his first-ever head-coaching opportunity and is currently 1-2. Across their first three games, the Spartans have been outscored 118-51. Virginia Tech will need a coach who has had success elsewhere and has ample experience running an entire football program.
Vick recently addressed the Virginia Tech coaching rumors to HBCU Gameday.
“My primary focus right now is Norfolk State,” Vick said. “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, having coached just three college games, shouldn’t be viewed as a legitimate coaching candidate for the Hokies, and the speculation needs to stop.
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