4x Pro Bowler Michael Vick did great things as a footballer in the 2000s. Parallely, he did some gruesome things as a human being. The two personas mutually coexisted for years, with the latter inconspicuous behind the sheen of his quarterbacking. When it finally came to light, Vick was rightfully chastised. 15 years on, the masses remain polarized about whether he can be absolved of his past. His past misdemeanors are etched in the image he projects. The figurehead who took him under his wing during this phase has reinforced his trust in Michael Vick.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Michael Vick has been hired as the new head coach of Norfolk State. Vick, who played college football at nearby Virginia Tech, said he’s “looking forward to coming back home.” Vick appeared as a guest analyst on FOX ahead of this weekend’s NFL stale. During the broadcast, KC Chiefs HC Andy Reid virtually joined in to voice his delight for his former protege. Reid signed Vick to the Philadelphia Eagles in his first foray back into football after being convicted for spearheading a dog fighting ring, both operationally and financially.

“Michael Vick, the new head coach of Norfolk State. Man, is that school lucky to have you,” said Andy Reid. “You’re going to do a great job. Those kids are fortunate to have you. Probably most of all, to learn from [you]. You’ll be awesome, you’ll be great for the university. I love you, and I know you’re going to do a great job for them. So all the best going forward. Now, a Norfolk fan!” This show of support made Michael Vick teary-eyed.

Vick infamously went to prison for 18 months in 2007. This coincided with the peak of his NFL ascension with the Atlanta Falcons. Vick returned to the NFL in 2009 and played for 6 more seasons before his retirement. The first 4 were spent under Andy Reid in Philly, where he made his last Pro Bowl and won the NFL Comeback POTY in 2010. Off the field, Vick has seemingly mended his ways and has actively been a proponent of stopping animal cruelty as well.

As with any public-facing figure, though, a perception marred once sustains perennially. Not everyone is as forgiving as Andy Reid. A large number of people, both in the football sphere and outside, have disdain for Michael Vick. They have a rationale as well. Such was the brutality of his heinous crimes that it was impossible to express with mere words. In the wake of the news of his hiring at Norfolk State, one member of CFB media laid bare his feelings towards Vick and his disposition as a head coach.

CFB analyst explicitly disapproves of giving Michael Vick an opportunity

Blain Crain of “Crain & Company” echoed his stance over Vick’s return to college football. While his brother and co-host Jake was prepared to give Vick a shot at vindication, Blain refused. His reasoning was etched in a fair notion of whether an ex-convict can lead college kids in traversing their careers and life at large.

“I think Michael Vick’s a great player. Other people can forgive you, but I don’t. I don’t know how you’re gonna be a leader of men, to be honest, after you just did all that. You fought dogs for how long? So, you know, I’m all for a redemption story. Other people forgive, but I don’t. I don’t think this guy should be a head coach anywhere.” he bluntly said.

His brother, on the contrary, concurred with the same line of thought but with a more glass half-full POV. “Maybe the best thing he could do to remedy the situation that got him in that hot water is to be able to affect people for the good and take on this role. Be a leader of young men…Maybe that’s the best way to come back like a phoenix rising from the ashes,” said Jake Blain.

It is worth pointing out that Michael Vick has never been in a head coaching capacity. At any level of football whatsoever. He’s only taken some intern and coordinating roles across various rungs of the ladder. Norfolk State is taking a huge gamble with Vick in more ways than one. With very little to no tangible evidence, one can’t project how Michael Vick will do in his role. One thing, though, is for certain- he’s continually going to divide opinion in every way, on and off the field.