NORFOLK — Norfolk State head coach Michael Vick is focused on the present, not any outside noise.
The former Virginia Tech quarterback was asked Tuesday about the Hokies’ coaching change and social media speculation tying him to his alma mater’s vacancy following Brent Pry’s dismissal. Vick, in his first season leading the Spartans, made it clear where his attention lies.
“My primary focus right now, until the end of time, is going to be what we do here in Norfolk State,” Vick said. “That’s all we can focus on right now.”
Vick isn’t offering a flat “no” to the Virginia Tech talk, but he isn’t giving it much thought either. For now, he says his energy is locked on Norfolk State and the immediate task ahead.
“All these things circling, I got to juggle this (NSU) on a day-to-day basis. So, that’s what’s most important,” Vick said. “I can’t see that far in the future, even though I look into the future and I try to get our players to look into the future. Right now, just got to have short-term memory.”
What’s more important to Vick currently is returning home Saturday to host Sacred Heart (2-1) at Dick Price Stadium and get back into the win column.
Vick did briefly acknowledge the Hokies’ situation, calling Pry’s firing “unfortunate” but reflective of the realities of the profession.
“It’s straightforward and it’s about winning,” Vick said. “Football is not the easiest thing. It’s a lot of moving parts when it comes to this. And for our program, it’s always going to be about the standard like anywhere else. You just got to find ways to make it right. They’ll be okay.”
Virginia Tech’s 0-3 start and coaching change sparked chatter about Vick as a potential candidate given his legacy in Blacksburg, but he’s quick to wave off those conversations. On Monday’s MEAC coaches call, he emphasized that his players should follow his lead and block out the outside noise the same way he does.
The Spartans are 1–2 after three weeks, including a 60-10 loss at Rutgers Saturday. It’s not the start Vick envisioned in his first season on the sidelines, but he believes the different challenges already faced — three opponents from three conferences — have tested and hardened his group.
For Vick, what’s next is Sacred Heart this weekend. And for now, that’s the only job he’s worried about.
