MSU Athletics

Michael Vite has been coaching since 1981 and most recently was the defensive coordinator at Lane College of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Dragons led the conference in red zone defense and had the nation’s 34th-ranked pass defense in Division II. Lane was No. 2 in defensive touchdowns and No. 11 in tackles for loss.

Vite spent two years as the defensive coordinator at Sul Ross State, a Division III program in Alpine, Texas. The Lobos improved under the guidance of Vite, allowing 18 fewer points per game in 2019 after yielding 45 points per game in 2018.

As the linebackers coach at Florida A&M from 2015-18, Vite mentored and supported his players in academic development.

Vite was the defensive coordinator at Texas Southern from 2013-15, and in 2014 the Tigers were ranked No. 34 in total defense among FCS schools, and opponents only converted on third down 31 percent of the time, which led the SWAC.

During his time as the head coach at The Apprentice School from 2008-2012 the team GPA rose from 1.9 to 3.0 with more players graduating.

Guilford College had one of the top defenses in Division III during Vite’s time as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator from 2006-2008.

In 2005, Vite served as the defensive coordinator at Morgan State.

Vite guided the No. 7 rush defense and No. 22 total defense in NAIA as the defensive coordinator and assistant head football coach at Bacone College.

During his time at Murray State as a defensive coordinator from 2001-2004, Vite led the second-ranked overall defense in the Ohio Valley Conference during the 2002 season, and the team reached the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. In 2003, the Racers had the 35th-ranked defense in Division I-AA.

While at Southern Illinois as the defensive coordinator in 2000, the Salukis had the No. 1 ranked defense in the Gateway Football Conference. Vite also served as the interim head coach.

From 1994-2000, Vite was the defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator at Southern University and the team enjoyed a 26-game winning streak from 1997-98. The Jaguars won the Heritage Bowl in 1995, 1997 and 1998. Southern University was a top 10 defense in Division I-AA from 1994-1999.

At Wake Forest, Vite worked as the secondary coach and punt return-team coach. The Demon Deacons had the top punt return team in the ACC in 1991 and 1992 and was second in the nation both seasons. In 1992, Wake Forest won the Independence Bowl.

Vite began his coaching career at Hillsdale College —his alma mater. He also worked at Michigan State as a volunteer assistant in 1982. He was the JV head coach, quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Mishawaka Marian High School before becoming an assistant coach at Illinois State in 1984. In 1988, Vite became the outside linebackers coach at East Tennessee State.

Vite is the father of two adult children. His son is Michael Francis, and his daughter is Jennie Taylor.