Norfolk State Football 2026: Schedule & Roster Guide
Norfolk State Football: Schedule, Roster, Coach & Match Stats Guide
By the Spartan Football Editorial Desk | Fact-checked against Norfolk State University Athletics and MEAC sources | Last updated July 2, 2026
Searching for real answers about Norfolk State football usually means digging through ten different sites just to confirm a score. That’s frustrating when you just want the schedule, the coach, and the roster in one place. This guide solves that. Every date, result, and staff name below comes straight from official Norfolk State and conference sources, checked for accuracy.
What Is Norfolk State Football?
Norfolk State football is the varsity program of Norfolk State University, an HBCU based in Norfolk, Virginia. The Spartans compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. Home games are played at William “Dick” Price Stadium, a venue that regularly draws some of the largest crowds in the conference.
The program carries deep local roots and a passionate fan base built around Hampton Roads pride. Its biggest rivalry, the “Battle of the Bay” against Hampton University, ranks among the most storied HBCU matchups in the country and dates back decades.
Quick facts about the program:
- Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
- Division: NCAA Division I FCS
- Home stadium: William “Dick” Price Stadium, Norfolk, Virginia
- Head coach: Michael Vick, entering his second season in 2026
- Rivalries: Hampton (Battle of the Bay) and Old Dominion (cross-town matchup)
Meet the Norfolk State Football Coach: Michael Vick
Michael Vick took over as the Norfolk State football coach in January 2025, becoming the 19th head coach in program history. Vick starred at Virginia Tech before a 13-year NFL career that included four Pro Bowl selections and a No. 1 overall draft slot in 2001. In 2025, he was admitted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
His first season on the sideline was a rebuilding year. Norfolk State finished 1-11 overall and 0-5 in MEAC play in 2025, a difficult debut that Vick has publicly framed as a foundation for the future. Heading into 2026, he made staff adjustments mid-season and used the winter transfer window to overhaul the roster.
Current Norfolk State football coaching staff:
| Role | Coach |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Michael Vick |
| Assistant Head Coach | Darryl Bullock |
| Offensive Coordinator | Brian Sheppard |
| Offensive Line Coach | Elton Brown |
| Wide Receivers Coach | Tim Smith |
| Running Backs Coach | Dre Kendrick |
| Linebackers Coach / Asst. Special Teams | LaRoy Reynolds |
| Safeties Coach / HS Relations Liaison | Wilson Appleton |
| Tight Ends Coach / Recruiting Coordinator | Steve Adams |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | DeCedrick “Ced” Quinn Sr. |
Vick built his staff around former college and NFL players with strong regional ties, a deliberate choice meant to strengthen recruiting relationships across Virginia.
Norfolk State Football Schedule 2026: Full Breakdown
The Norfolk State football schedule for 2026 is a 12-game slate released in March 2026, featuring six home games at William “Dick” Price Stadium and five MEAC contests. The season opens with a reunion storyline against former Spartan assistant Tory Woodbury, now head coach at Winston-Salem State.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 29 | Winston-Salem State | Home |
| Sept. 5 | at Old Dominion | Away |
| Sept. 12 | at Virginia | Away |
| Sept. 19 | Hampton (Battle of the Bay) | Home |
| Sept. 26 | at Chicago State | Away |
| Oct. 3 | at Robert Morris | Away |
| Oct. 10 | Virginia University of Lynchburg (Homecoming) | Home |
| Oct. 17 | Open Date | — |
| Oct. 24 | at South Carolina State | Away |
| Oct. 31 | Delaware State | Home |
| Nov. 7 | N.C. Central | Home |
| Nov. 14 | at Morgan State | Away |
| Nov. 21 | Howard (Senior Day) | Home |
Two matchups stand out for first-time storylines: the road trip to Virginia marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs, and the Sept. 5 game at Old Dominion is only the fifth meeting since the Monarchs restarted football in 2009. The Sept. 19 “Battle of the Bay” against Hampton will be the 67th edition of the rivalry.
Looking Back: The 2025 Norfolk State Football Season and Match Stats
Understanding the 2026 outlook starts with an honest look at how the 2025 Norfolk State football season actually played out. The Spartans opened with a home loss to Towson and never found consistent traction, finishing 1-11 overall with their lone win coming against a non-Division I opponent.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 28 | Towson | Loss | 7–27 |
| Sept. 6 | Virginia State | Win | 34–31 (OT) |
| Sept. 13 | at Rutgers | Loss | 10–60 |
| Sept. 20 | Sacred Heart | Loss | 28–31 |
| Sept. 27 | at Wagner | Loss | 13–18 |
| Oct. 4 | at Hampton | Loss | 34–41 |
| Oct. 11 | at Wofford | Loss | 14–31 |
| Oct. 25 | South Carolina State | Loss | 20–51 |
| Oct. 30 | at Delaware State | Loss | 20–27 |
| Nov. 8 | at N.C. Central | Loss | 28–31 |
| Nov. 15 | Morgan State | Loss | 28–35 |
| Nov. 22 | at Howard | Loss | 15–44 |
A few match stats stand out from that stretch. The Hampton loss was the closest MEAC game of the season at seven points, and the North Carolina Central game came down to a three-point margin on the road. Homecoming still drew a program-record crowd of 47,273 fans against South Carolina State, proof the fan base stayed engaged despite the record.
Norfolk State Football Roster: Rebuilding Through the Transfer Portal
The 2026 Norfolk State football roster looks significantly different from the one that finished 1-11. Coach Vick leaned hard on the transfer portal and high school recruiting to reshape the depth chart, particularly at quarterback, offensive line, and wide receiver.
Key roster storylines heading into 2026:
- A four-man quarterback competition, including returning signal-callers and two new transfer additions
- Five FBS transfers joining the roster, including a Power Four transfer from Florida
- A deliberate push to add size and experience along the offensive line
- Continued recruitment of Hampton Roads talent to keep local pipelines strong
Roster turnover this significant means fans should check the official Norfolk State football roster page close to fall camp, since walk-on tryouts and late transfer additions can still shift the two-deep depth chart.
Norfolk State Football Recruiting: The 2026 Class
Norfolk State football recruiting under Michael Vick has focused on two things: retaining Hampton Roads talent and adding proven transfers who can contribute immediately. The 2026 class, announced on National Signing Day, included 18 high school signees and 21 transfer additions.
| Recruiting Category | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High school signees | 18 | Includes multiple Virginia-based prospects |
| Transfer signees | 21 | Includes five players from FBS programs |
| Virginia natives | 13 | Five from Oscar Smith High School alone |
| Incoming quarterbacks | 4 | Two high school, two transfer additions |
The class leaned heavily on in-state prospects, a strategy built around Vick’s own Hampton Roads roots. Adding proven FBS transfers alongside younger high school talent gives the coaching staff both immediate depth and long-term development pieces.
Norfolk State Football News: What’s Happening Right Now
Staying current with Norfolk State football news means tracking a few recurring storylines throughout the year:
- Coaching staff changes: Vick made in-season staff adjustments in October 2025, a move he described as necessary for accountability and program direction.
- 2026 schedule release: The full slate was announced in March 2026, confirming the Hampton rivalry date and first-ever matchup with Virginia.
- Roster overhaul: A 39-player combined class of high school and transfer additions signals one of the largest offseason rebuilds in program history.
- Season ticket updates: Football season tickets for 2026 went on sale July 1, alongside new tailgate and cabana reservation options at Dick Price Stadium.
Because rosters and depth charts shift constantly during camp, always check the publish date on any Norfolk State football story before treating it as the latest word.
How to Track Every Norfolk State Football Score and Game
Following a Norfolk State football score in real time is simplest through official channels, which update fastest and carry the most reliable numbers:
- NSUSpartans.com — the official athletics site, with live stats and full box scores for every Norfolk State football game
- MEACSports.com — conference standings, schedules, and results across the league
- Live Stats portal — real-time play-by-play tracking during home and away games
Checking a final score against the official recap avoids the mix-ups that can happen with unofficial score aggregators, especially for road games streamed on smaller platforms.
The Battle of the Bay: Norfolk State’s Signature Rivalry
No Norfolk State football story is complete without the “Battle of the Bay,” the annual rivalry game against Hampton University. The two programs first met decades ago, and Norfolk State currently holds a 30-29-1 series lead heading into the 2026 meeting.
Why the rivalry matters:
- Both schools sit less than 20 miles apart in the Hampton Roads region
- The game consistently draws strong crowds from both fan bases
- It’s considered one of the most storied HBCU rivalries in the country
- The 2026 edition marks the 67th meeting between the two programs
Beyond Hampton, Norfolk State also carries a growing cross-town rivalry with Old Dominion, a series that will add its first-ever meeting with the University of Virginia in September 2026.
How to Watch or Attend a Norfolk State Football Game
Norfolk State football games are broadcast through a mix of MEAC digital platforms, regional television, and streaming partners, depending on the opponent and kickoff slot. Conference games typically stream through MEAC Network or ESPN+.
Fans planning to attend in person can purchase season tickets, single-game tickets, and tailgate packages directly through Norfolk State Athletics. Tailgate reservations and Spartan Cabana requests for the 2026 season opened July 1, alongside general season ticket sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current Norfolk State football coach? Michael Vick is the current head coach, entering his second season in 2026 after a 1-11 debut campaign in 2025.
What is Norfolk State’s 2026 football schedule? Norfolk State opens the 2026 season at home against Winston-Salem State on August 29 and plays a 12-game slate that includes the Battle of the Bay against Hampton on September 19 and Senior Day against Howard on November 21.
How did the Norfolk State football team perform in 2025? Norfolk State finished 1-11 overall and 0-5 in MEAC play, with its only win coming against non-Division I opponent Virginia State in overtime.
What conference does Norfolk State football play in? Norfolk State competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) at the NCAA Division I FCS level.
How big was Norfolk State’s 2026 recruiting class? The 2026 class included 18 high school signees and 21 transfer additions, one of the largest roster rebuilds in program history under coach Michael Vick.
Where can I find the latest Norfolk State football news and scores? Official sources like NSUSpartans.com and MEACSports.com offer the most current Norfolk State football news, scores, and roster updates, since both publish directly from the athletic department and conference office.
Final Word
Norfolk State football enters 2026 at a turning point: a difficult first season under Michael Vick, followed by one of the largest roster rebuilds in program history. The schedule brings marquee rivalry dates, two brand-new opponents, and a coaching staff working to translate offseason changes into wins. Bookmark this guide and check back as fall camp approaches for roster and depth chart updates.
Have a question about the Spartans’ schedule, roster, or recruiting class? Drop it in the comments, and we’ll keep this guide updated as the season develops.
