Michael Vick talks to Sacramento State and Norfolk State about head coaching jobs

Michael Vick has talked to at least two schools about becoming a college head coach.

Sacramento State president Dr. Luke Wood said Monday he has spoken with Vick about the opening at his school, and the Virginian-Pilot reported that Norfolk State has also interviewed the former NFL sensation to be its next coach.

Wood said Vick expressed interest in the open job at Sacramento State, which is trying to make the move from the FCS level to the FBS if the school can get an invitation to join either the Pac-12 or Mountain West Conference.

“Vick and I did meet about Sac State football and our athletic rise,” Wood said on the social media platform X. “As you can imagine, given the success of our athletic programs that our football head coach job is an attractive role. Announcements on several major decisions coming soon."

Andy Thompson, who coached the Hornets the past two seasons, left last week to become an assistant coach at Stanford. Sacramento State went 3-9 this season and finished tied for last place in the 12-team Big Sky conference.

The 44-year-old Vick, who served 18 months in prison for dogfighting while in the prime of his career, told the Virginian-Pilot that he has spoken with Norfolk State president Javaune Adams-Gaston and athletic director Melody Webb about the position and expects a resolution “soon.”

Norfolk State fired coach Dawson Odums in November after a 4-8 season. Vick has no coaching experience but was an dynamic dual-threat quarterback in college and the pros. He starred at Virginia Tech and helped the Hokies reach the 1999 national title game before losing to Florida State and then became the first Black quarterback drafted first overall when Atlanta picked him in 2001.

“I know how to lead and I know what it takes," Vick told the newspaper, saying Norfolk State — a historically Black school near his hometown of Newport News, Virginia — reached out to him about the position.

Norfolk State didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Vick was a four-time Pro Bowler in 13 seasons for Atlanta, Philadelphia, the New York Jets and Pittsburgh. He helped launch an era of quarterbacks who were threats both running and throwing the ball.

Vick was released from federal prison in 2009 after pleading guilty and serving his sentence for his role in a dogfighting ring. He returned to the NFL and won AP Comeback Player of the Year with the Eagles in 2010, but his prime years were behind him.

He retired in 2017 and has advocated against animal cruelty while also working as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports.

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FILE - Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick speaks to members of the media during NFL football training camp at the team's practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Tomoyuki Sugano is headed to the major leagues at last.

The Baltimore Orioles agreed to a $13 million, one-year contract with the star Japanese right-hander Monday night. Sugano is coming off an MVP season — his third — in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. The 35-year-old spent 12 years with the Yomiuri Giants. He was posted by the Giants following the 2020 season and was available for major league teams to bid on, but he did not agree to a deal.

Sugano went 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA last season, walking only 16 batters in 156 2/3 innings. He added another MVP award after winning in 2014 and 2020.

Sugano pitched for Japan at the 2017 World Baseball Classic and allowed three hits in six innings in the semifinal against the United States.

The Orioles have some pitching questions after making the postseason each of the past two seasons. Baltimore ace Corbin Burnes is a free agent, and starters Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells were both sidelined last year following Tommy John surgery. Grayson Rodriguez missed time down the stretch because of a lat injury.

If Burnes doesn't come back, Rodriguez, Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer figure to be in the rotation, but it remains to be seen how much adding the Orioles do the rest of this offseason. Sugano represents another option with some potential upside on a low-risk deal — although he can't be assigned to the minor leagues without his consent.

In addition to the $13 million salary, Sugano can earn several award bonuses: $50,000 for All-Star selection or election; $100,000 for a Cy Young Award, $75,000 for second place and $50,000 for third; $50,000 for a Gold Glove; $100,000 for World Series MVP and $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP. He'll become a free agent when the contract expires.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

Yomiuri Giants Tomoyuki Sugano delivers his speech as he received Japan's Central League MVP in Tokyo Nov. 26, 2024. (Japan Pool/Kyodo News via AP)

FILE - Japan's starter Tomoyuki Sugano pitches against Cuba during the first inning of their second round game at the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, on March 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Toru Takahashi, File)