Norfolk State and Michael Vick have an agreement in place to make the former NFL star the next head coach of the Spartans’ FCS football program, the Virginian-Pilot reported on Tuesday.

Vick, 44, emerged as a candidate for the opening on Monday, and ESPN followed with a report claiming that Sacramento State was also in the running for Vick.

A native of Newport News, Va., less than 30 miles from the campus in Norfolk, Vick opted to stay close to home. This will be his first coaching job of any kind.

“I know how to lead and I know what it takes,” he told the Pilot on Monday.

Vick replaces Dawson Odums, fired by the school on Nov. 26. Odums led the MEAC school to a 15-31 mark in four seasons. Norfolk State went 4-8 in 2024.

Vick threw for 22,464 yards, 133 touchdowns and 88 interceptions in 143 career NFL games (115 starts) with four teams, most notably the Atlanta Falcons (2001-06) and Philadelphia Eagles (2009-13). He rushed for another 6,109 yards and 36 TDs.

He was suspended from football in 2007 and 2008 for his role in an illegal dog-fighting ring, which landed him in federal prison for 21 months. He won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2010.

Vick starred at Virginia Tech for two seasons, passing for 3,074 yards and rushing for 1,202. He combined for 36 TDs. He was the No. 1 overall pick by the Falcons in the 2001 draft.