NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State officially named Michael Vick its head football coach on Friday. This brought in a talented NFL player with no college coaching experience to lead an HBCU program.

Vick’s admission was unanimously approved by the school’s Board of Visitors, Norfolk State athletic director Melody Webb said in a university news release.

“I am blessed and honored by this opportunity to lead, mentor and transform the football program at Norfolk State University,” Vick said in a statement.

Vick, 44, announced on his Facebook page Tuesday evening that he had accepted the job.

Vick, who played at Virginia Tech and was selected No. 1 overall by Atlanta in the 2001 NFL Draft, is the latest standout to lead an HBCU school without college coaching experience.

NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders had coached youth and prep football when he led Jackson State from 2020-2022. The team made two Celebration Bowls, a postseason game that featured the champions of two HBCU leagues, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Sanders has coached Colorado the past two seasons.

Eddie George, a Heisman Trophy-winning running back who ran for 10,441 yards in nine NFL seasons, was hired at Tennessee State in 2021 and led the team to the FCS playoffs that season, where he finished 9-4.

Norfolk State believes Vick can make similar strides with his program.

Webb, the school’s AD, said Vick is among the greatest athletes to come out of the area and that his hiring will attract talented players to the school.

“I am confident that with this mindset, our football program will build sustainable recruiting channels in the state of Virginia and across the country,” she said.

The school’s release made no mention of Vick’s high-profile struggles with a dogfight ring in the prime of his career with the Falcons.

Vick served 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role. After his release in 2009, he returned to the NFL and was named AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2010 with the Philadelphia Eagles, but his best years were behind him.

He retired in 2017 and campaigned against animal cruelty while also working as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports.

Vick will be officially introduced to campus on Monday.

“As a prestigious HBCU with a rich athletics history, NSU provides students with an outstanding environment in which they can reach their full potential on the field and, just as importantly, in the classroom,” Vick said. “It is an honor to join the Norfolk State family.”

Norfolk State fired coach Dawson Odums in November after a 4-8 season. The Spartans have played in the FCS playoffs once, losing in the first round to in-state rival Old Dominion in 2011.

Before accepting the job at Norfolk State, Vick also spoke with Sacramento State about the open head coaching position.