When big-name celebrities step into college football coaching roles, the hype is real. Fans dream big. Expectations skyrocket. But can they truly build something lasting, or are they just short-term boosts? After all, not everyone can be Deion Sanders, who not only changed the landscape of college football at Jackson State but also made a huge impact with the Colorado Buffaloes.
Michael Vick, the newly hired head football coach at Norfolk State University, finds himself in a similar situation. CFB analyst Darrion Gray is expressing concern about Vick’s long-term commitment to Norfolk State and whether he will truly establish a lasting impact like Sanders did at Jackson State.
Analyst Darrion Gray Questions Michael Vick’s Ability to Reach Deion Sanders’ Level
On a recent episode of “Locked On HBCU,” analyst Darrion Gray opened up about his concerns surrounding Michael Vick’s future at Norfolk State. His main worry? Whether Vick is truly in it for the long haul.
“Especially when you look at Vic, who I don’t know how long he’s going to be here. I really don’t know,” Gray admitted. He noted that Vick has already talked about his future plans—something most other ex-NFL stars haven’t done so early in their college coaching careers.
“I’ve already heard Michael Vick articulate where his eyes are set and what his end goal is,” he added. “Do I like that he said it? No. Do I have a problem that he feels it? No. But knowing that his mind is there for sure, it makes me wonder how long he’ll be at Norfolk State because I almost feel, I almost feel like he’ll be there until somebody calls.”
Vick’s coaching background is relatively new. He previously worked as an offensive coordinator and advisor for the Atlanta Legends in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019. However, his role at Norfolk State marks his first head coaching position.
Gray suggested that if Vick’s tenure lasts only three years, the results could go in one of two directions—either he fails and moves on, or he succeeds and gets hired elsewhere. “If you give them three years, he’s going to crash and burn. You’re going to move on or he’s going to be very successful, and somebody is going to come grab him,” Gray explained.
The analyst also stressed that having a celebrity coach is not just about raising attendance or making money. It’s about building a lasting culture. “You have to use these quote-unquote celebrity coaches to build your platform more than just a little bit. And then also create a culture,” he said.
He used Deion Sanders’ time at Jackson State as an example. Sanders created a culture that stuck even after he left for Colorado. Darrion emphasized, “I feel like when Jackson State had Deion Sanders, they had a clear and distinct culture and one that people wanted to invest in.”
Norfolk State has a long football history, starting in 1938. The team plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and has won six conference titles. But recently, their overall record has been below .500.
KEEP READING: ‘I Cried So Much’ — Michael Vick Cherishes His Role as Norfolk’s Head Coach With Emotional Connection to His Whistle
Moreover, since Vick is new to coaching, mixed reactions are expected. That’s normal. But matching Deion Sanders’ standard is no easy task. After all, Coach Prime changed the landscape of college football. Still, if Michael Vick shows even a bit of progress, it could prove the analyst wrong.
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