Norfolk State football coach Michael Vick faces QB battle, player discipline issues

BET's 'The Coach Vick Experience' chronicles Vick's first season leading the Spartans program

Feb. 26, 2026 at 4:22am

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In the latest episode of BET's 'The Coach Vick Experience', the quarterback battle between Israel Carter and Otto Kuhns is finally resolved, with Kuhns winning the starting job. However, the team continues to struggle with discipline issues, including a suspension of star player Kevon King. Meanwhile, Vick's team loses a close rivalry game against Hampton University despite a strong performance from Kuhns, raising questions about Vick's coaching abilities.

Why it matters

Michael Vick's transition to college coaching at Norfolk State has been closely watched, with the BET reality series providing an inside look at the challenges he faces in rebuilding the struggling program. The QB battle and player discipline issues highlighted in this episode underscore the difficulties Vick is encountering as he tries to instill a winning culture and identity for the Spartans.

The details

After a back-and-forth QB battle, Otto Kuhns was named the starter, while Israel Carter decided to take a redshirt year. However, the team's discipline issues continued, with star player Kevon King suspended for two games after an incident on the team bus. In the highly anticipated 'Battle of the Bay' rivalry game against Hampton University, Norfolk State jumped out to an early lead but ultimately lost due to excessive penalties and a collapse on defense, despite a strong performance from Kuhns.

  • The QB battle between Israel Carter and Otto Kuhns was finally resolved in this episode.
  • Kevon King was suspended for two games after an incident on the team bus.
  • Norfolk State lost the 'Battle of the Bay' rivalry game against Hampton University.

The players

Michael Vick

The former NFL quarterback is in his first season as the head coach of the Norfolk State Spartans football team.

Otto Kuhns

The quarterback who was named the starter after a lengthy battle with Israel Carter.

Israel Carter

The quarterback who decided to take a redshirt year after losing the starting job to Kuhns.

Kevon King

A star player for Norfolk State who was suspended for two games after an incident on the team bus.

Kijafa Vick

Michael Vick's wife, who was featured attending a Norfolk State-Hampton University kickoff party.

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What they’re saying

“Publicizing that, especially on national television, might not have been the best thing to do, as the draft has not yet occurred and King still could have an opportunity to get a shot in the league.”

— Randall Barnes, Author

“It's clear to me that Kuhns should have been the starter, and Carter should have probably redshirted this year, or there should have been an understanding that Carter was going to be the backup.”

— Randall Barnes, Author

What’s next

The judge in Kevon King's case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow him to return to the team.

The takeaway

Michael Vick's first season as Norfolk State's head coach has been marked by challenges in managing the quarterback situation and player discipline, issues that have contributed to the team's struggles on the field. As Vick works to build a winning culture, he must address these internal problems to get the Spartans program back on track.