Michael Vick’s Coaching Journey to Norfolk State to Be Chronicled in New BET Docuseries

Only months after Michael Vick was introduced as head coach of Norfolk State University, his next chapter is set to be chronicled on screen. BET announced it will produce a new docuseries following Vick’s transition from NFL legend to collegiate leader, in partnership with SMAC Entertainment — the media company co-founded by Super Bowl champion and HBCU alumnus Michael Strahan.

For Vick, the project marks a return to BET nearly 15 years after The Michael Vick Project, the 2010 reality series that captured his attempt to rebuild his life and career following his imprisonment for involvement in a dogfighting ring. The upcoming series will instead focus on redemption through leadership, mentorship, and the unique challenges of leading an HBCU football program.

Filming is already underway as Vick’s Norfolk State Spartans compete in a season that has drawn national attention, both for the high-profile hire and the program’s ambitions to rebuild. The series will follow his evolution as a coach while exploring themes of legacy, second chances, and community.

SMAC Entertainment’s Senior Vice President of Non-Scripted, Anthony Smith, confirmed the project during Norfolk State’s recent matchup against Delaware State, emphasizing that it stems from a longstanding partnership between Vick and the production company.

1. Building on a Trusted Partnership

According to Smith, SMAC’s collaboration with Vick has developed over several years through multiple projects. “We’ve had a relationship with Michael for a while now,” he said in an interview. “We worked together on The Evolution of the Black Quarterback, which premiered on Prime Video, and that project really deepened our understanding of who he is beyond football.” That earlier series, which explored the history and cultural impact of Black quarterbacks, allowed Vick to share personal insights about his own career and the lessons learned from his rise, fall, and reinvention. During production, Smith said, Vick frequently discussed his desire to coach — an idea that took root long before his appointment at Norfolk State. “One of the things Michael talked about as we traveled around the country for that series was what’s next — what he wanted his next chapter to be,” Smith said. “Coaching was always part of that vision. He wanted to give back and shape the next generation.” It was during that journey that Vick’s path crossed with another coaching trailblazer — Deion Sanders — whose mentorship and advice would ultimately help set the stage for his move into college football.

2. Deion Sanders’ Influence on Vick’s Next Step

During the filming of The Evolution of the Black Quarterback, Vick spent time with Deion Sanders in Boulder, Colorado, as Sanders prepared his Colorado Buffaloes for the season. Their conversation proved pivotal. “Michael told Deion he’d love to coach one day but wasn’t sure when or how to start,” Smith recalled. “And Deion told him straight — when the opportunity comes, don’t wait. Take it.” That moment resonated deeply with Vick, who had long expressed interest in returning to his home state of Virginia to contribute to the football culture that shaped him. When the Norfolk State position became available, the timing — and Sanders’ advice — pushed him to seize the moment. After securing the role, Vick contacted SMAC’s leadership, including Strahan and co-founder Constance Schwartz-Morini, to share his vision for a documentary project that would authentically tell his story. For the SMAC team, it was an easy decision. “We knew what a story like this could mean,” Smith said. “We’d seen it firsthand with Deion at Jackson State — the challenges, the excitement, the cultural importance of HBCU football. Michael’s story brings all that and more.” The collaboration aims to capture both the intensity of Vick’s coaching debut and the personal significance of returning to his roots — surrounded by family, friends, and the community that raised him.

3. A Homecoming with Purpose

The new BET docuseries will chronicle more than just X’s and O’s. It will document a homecoming — one that brings Vick back to Virginia, to the city where his football journey began. For Norfolk State, which has struggled for consistent success since moving to Division I in 1997, Vick’s arrival represents both hope and visibility. Smith said the project is designed to show the multidimensional side of Vick’s story — the transformation from athlete to mentor, from controversy to leadership. “This isn’t just a football story,” he said. “It’s about community, family, and legacy. It’s about returning home and building something meaningful.” The series is expected to offer unprecedented access to Vick’s first year leading the Spartans, featuring behind-the-scenes moments from practices, games, and team meetings. Cameras will follow Vick as he rebuilds the program, connects with players, and navigates the pressure of expectation that comes with his name. Currently in production, the docuseries continues filming as Norfolk State prepares for its next major matchup against North Carolina Central University — a symbolic test for both Vick and his revitalized squad.