Michael Vick took the rostrum on the Mid-Japanese Athletic Convention Soccer Media Day optimistic about what might be.
In his first main press convention since taking the job at Norfolk State, the previous NFL star spoke candidly in regards to the journey from the enjoying subject to the sidelines, the brotherhood forming amongst his gamers, and rebuilding a proud however lately struggling program.
“What excites me most is being with these guys—watching them lay all of it on the road day by day,” Vick stated, gesturing to athletes beside him. “It’s about creating that household environment, constructing belief, and getting these younger males able to compete—not simply in soccer, however in life.”
How Vick has adjusted to being Coach Vick
Vick has discovered the adjustment difficult and rewarding when transitioning into the school teaching ranks.
“I discovered that I can do it,” he mirrored, acknowledging nerves however pointing to his religion, the gamers’ buy-in, and a supportive teaching employees as keys to a profitable spring.
The offseason, Vick famous, was much less about X’s and O’s than it was about team-building and mutual dedication. “I instructed them on the finish of spring, if I had a crystal ball and will look into the long run, it might be image good—due to their effort, exhibiting up within the freezing chilly, rain, sleet, or snow to organize for spring ball. That speaks volumes about who they’re,” he stated.
Reshaping Norfolk State soccer’s tradition, Vick is setting a mantra: “Someday at a time, one observe at a time, one snap at a time.”
He praised his employees of assistants and place coaches for guiding him by NCAA rules and the challenges of a “reset” for this system. “All of us have to steer collectively,” he stated. “It’s not nearly me. We’re a household, and if everybody buys in, the wins will come.”
Echoes of his enjoying days nonetheless inform his perspective, however he insisted that his focus is on attending to know his staff personally, not reliving his accolades. “I would like these guys to know I’m simply as dedicated to them as they’re to this program. My job is to develop younger males who’re profitable lengthy after soccer.”
Vick’s mix of humility and confidence is already making a distinction for a program needing construction and management. “Some issues simply fall into place,” he stated, referencing the choice to take this job in his yard of Virginia and the possibility to steer the staff again to prominence.
