Michael Vick. Virginia Tech legend. If there was a Mount Rushmore of Virginia Tech football players, his face would be the first one carved on that mountain. (In Hokie stone, preferably!)
So why not bring him back?
There is so much potential in a hire like this. Virginia Tech is trying to get back to national prominence, and who better to help than the one who elevated the program to its highest peak ever?
Last week the Hokies lost their quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Brad Glenn, who rejoined his friend Scott Satterfield at Cincinnati. Virginia Tech should make a play for Michael Vick, and here are three reasons why:
Recruiting Will Improve
The addition of Michael Vick to the Virginia Tech coaching staff would have an immediate impact on recruiting, especially in the state. Vick is orginally from Newport News, and the name recognition in the 757 is off the charts. Let’s be honest – his name recognition is great across not just the state but also the mid-Atlantic region, and arguably the country (He was an NFL number one overall draft pick after all!)
Hiring a legendary player like Vick could mirror the Deion Sanders effect. Coach Prime, as Sanders prefers to be called, has had tremendous success recruiting, first at Jackson State and now at Colorado. Remember in 2022 when Sanders convinced top overall prospect Travis Hunter to sign with FCS Jackson State? The 18 highest rated recruits in JSU history signed during Sanders’ tenure. In just a few short months at Colorado, he already has the fifth best transfer class and the 21st best recruiting class in the nation.
Could Vick bring similar results? Why not? What kid from the 757 wouldn’t want to play for the greatest Hokie ever to wear the maroon and orange? What quarterback wouldn’t want to learn from someone who not only excelled at Tech but also in the NFL? What player wouldn’t want to rub elbows with an icon like Vick?
A lot of top talent in the state leaves. Many go to Penn State and North Carolina. The Hokies need to change that. They have done a nice job recruiting their footprint since Pry was hired, and adding Michael Vick to the staff should only make that better.
The Offensive Coordinator Wants a Guy Who Can Coach Technique
As the Hokies look to hire a new quarterbacks coach before the start of spring practice, Tyler Bowen, Virginia Tech’s offensive coordinator, has expressed interest in someone who is fundamentally sound. “We’re really looking for somebody that can really own the technique of the position,” Bowen said.
Ahem. Hire Michael Vick. He played 13 seasons in the NFL. A four-time Pro-Bowler, he excelled at the highest level and was trained by the best in the profession.
Coming out of college he was raw. He had to learn to be an NFL quarterback and he did. He can pass that knowledge on to future Hokie quarterbacks.
Players like Kyron Drones and Pop Watson and maybe even Tahj Bullock can benefit from Vick’s experience and insight as a dual threat quarterback. There is a lot of hype around the Drones signing. Bringing in Vick could match – or probably exceed – that hype, and maybe accelerate Drones’ development. And if Grant Wells keeps his starting job? Vick could certainly help him become a better passer.
As an added bonus, Michael Vick benefitted from having Tony Dungy as his life coach. Dungy is one of the most respected men in the profession, and he helped Vick both on and off the field. Vick can pay that forward and share Dungy’s teachings with Virginia Tech’s student athletes.
The Timing is Right
With the loss of quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Brad Glenn, the Hokies are in a tight spot right now. They are most likely going to have to find a coach who is already settled somewhere. That is going to cost more money in a buyout of an established coach.
The other option is to bring in someone who is a little less established or working at a G5 or FCS school and who might be less expensive.
Why not Vick? As a first-year coach, his cost may not be too high (even though his name could drive the price up).
Besides cost, another advantage is that Vick can focus solely on coaching the quarterbacks. Glenn was also the passing game coordinator. Keep in mind that offensive line coach Joe Rudolph is the running game coordinator and tight ends coach Tyler Bowen is the offensive coordinator. Maybe three coordinators were too many last year? Maybe giving the passing coordination to Bowen will help the offense run smoother this year? Hiring Vick and letting him focus on just the quarterbacks would enable that situation.
Final Thoughts on Hiring Michael Vick as the Quarterbacks Coach
This is all speculation. Vick may not even be interested. But he is still involved with the school. As recently as last fall he was on campus as part of a significant fundraising event with Commonwealth NIL. Vick clearly still wants to help the program, so why not make a pitch to bring him in as a coach?
Vick isn’t without coaching experience either. He does interact with kids at his V7 Elite Playmakers Showcase Camps. He also has interned as a coach for Andy Reid and the Chiefs, admitting that he would consider coaching football. He once told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “If I could coach one day or be an ambassador for somebody that’s a great opportunity too.”
And could it really be any worse than last year? What do the Hokies have to lose here?
Alumni would love it. In-state recruits would love it. Maybe Michael himself would love it? I say go for it. Because Tech fans love their former players. Because Vick was a legend. Because he was, is, and always will be a Hokie. And because This is Home.
To read more of my articles on Virginia Tech football, click here.
