Deion Sanders went from being the head coach of a historically Black college and university at Jackson State to being the head coach of a power-conference school at Colorado, and Michael Vick is hoping to take a similar path.

Norfolk State hired Vick to become its next head coach in December, but he was looking ahead to the long-term future during a Tuesday appearance on I Am Athlete (55:45 mark).

"I see myself potentially going to a Power Five one day," he said. "That's the goal. Anything I get myself involved in, I'm always going to look into the future and where I can take it or where I can go. Or, where we can go. Because it's a team effort and I have to have a great staff around me."

While there's not really a Power Five any longer with the dissolution of the Pac-12, it isn't difficult to surmise he means a coaching job in either the Big Ten, SEC, ACC or Big 12.

Sanders' Buffaloes were in the Pac-12 during his first season as head coach in 2023 and then moved to the Big 12 for the 2024 campaign as part of a larger conference realignment shift. Colorado went from 4-8 in 2023 to 9-4 in 2024, and he was at least mentioned during discussions of who will become the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

As for Vick, he provides star power and a household name at Norfolk State, which should help with recruiting.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2001 NFL draft was a four-time Pro Bowler and still remains one of the best running quarterbacks in league history. He helped define an entire era for the Atlanta Falcons, and will look to bring his NFL experience to the college game as a coach.

If he can turn around Norfolk State, it could catch the eye of the power-conference schools.

After all, the Spartans were 4-8 in 2024 and haven't enjoyed a winning record since the 2021 campaign. They will be under far more of a spotlight in the immediate future with Vick, and his ability to get the best out of his players will determine the program's ceiling.