Football Analytics FAQ

Starting a Football Analytics Career

What is football analytics?

Football analytics is the use of data and statistical models to evaluate players, teams, and strategy in football. Teams use it for scouting, draft preparation, player evaluation, game planning, and in game decisions, with tools such as DVOA and PFF grades.

What kind of jobs can the Football Analytics course prepare me for?

The course prepares you for roles such as football research and development, football operations assistant, football analyst, football writer or blogger, sports journalist, football information systems, data scientist, research analyst, research assistant, and analysis and research coordinator.

Do NFL and college teams actually use PFF data?

Yes. PFF data is widely used across football, including, according to PFF, by all 32 NFL teams, along with college programs and professional football organizations worldwide. In this course, you learn how PFF data fits into broader analytics workflows and how professionals interpret it alongside other evaluation tools.

I’m a football coach. How will this course help me?

You will gain an understanding of scouting players from an NFL point of view. This course should enhance your ability to recruit quality athletes for your program at every level.

Do I need a math, coding, or analytics background to take this course?

No advanced math or programming background is required. The course focuses on applied football analytics and decision making, not complex coding. You learn how to interpret metrics, evaluate performance, and think analytically about football in ways that are accessible to people from a variety of backgrounds.

Do I need to have played football to work in football analytics?

No. A playing career is not required. If you did not play college or pro football but have an intense desire to work in the industry, the Football Analytics course can make the difference, because job experience and who you know matter. If you want an internship with a professional team and are willing to start in the sales department, look into SMWW’s Sports Sales & Marketing course.

How else can I break into the football world?

If you are not in a situation to start your career over and want to learn more about the business of football and gain contacts, check out the Athlete Management Course and consider representing NFL, CFL, and UFL players.

About the SMWW Football Analytics Course

Who teaches the Football Analytics course?

The course is taught by Aaron Schatz, the creator of DVOA, founder of Football Outsiders, and Chief Analytics Officer of FTN, and Steve Palazzolo, former Head of Product for PFF’s football division and host of Check the Mic on The 33rd Team. Learning from two of the field’s best known analytics voices is a big part of what sets SMWW’s course apart.

Will the Football Analytics course help me get a job in football?

It will help you get a job in football. The key word is help. For all eight weeks you will be in live classes with Aaron Schatz, Steve Palazzolo, SMWW President and NFL agent Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, and classmates who want careers in professional football. You will learn techniques and strategies that NFL teams are currently using, and graduates receive a resume reference from Palazzolo and Dr. Lashbrook. Will it directly get you the job? Talking the insider language and knowing the political game is a huge asset, but you still have to promote yourself, and the knowledge you gain and the contacts you make might be the clincher.

Do I really get to talk with Aaron Schatz and Steve Palazzolo every week?

Yes. Throughout the eight week course you join live weekly Zoom chats with Aaron Schatz and Steve Palazzolo, which are hour long question and answer discussions with your classmates. Dr. Lashbrook also leads a weekly job strategies chat, and if you miss a session, it is archived so you can watch it later.

How is PFF Premium used during the course?

Students receive six months of PFF Premium access, starting at the beginning of the course. PFF is used during select assignments and projects to support the analytics concepts you learn, and instruction on PFF is led by former PFF executive Steve Palazzolo, so you learn how the platform is applied in real football environments.

Is this considered a football analytics certification?

Graduates earn an SMWW Certificate of Accomplishment that you can add to your resume and LinkedIn profile. It is an SMWW credential rather than a license or league certification, and it reflects structured, instructor led training and applied analytics experience.

Who should take the Football Analytics course?

The course is ideal for people who want careers in football analytics and research, scouting and personnel support, football operations and front office paths, or media, content creation, fantasy, and sports analytics. It is also a strong fit for career changers and students who want to build resume ready football analytics skills.

What is the difference between Football Analytics and Sports Analytics and AI?

SMWW offers five sport specific analytics courses, in hockey, soccer, baseball, football, and basketball, which show how analytics is used across all roles in an organization, from the GM to the scouts. Sports Analytics and AI is a deeper, more technical look at skills such as R, SQL, Python, and data visualization that apply across all sports. Many students take both.

What if I need one-on-one assistance?

SMWW staff are available by phone throughout the course for one on one help with coursework, live sessions, or career questions. Call 1 877 SMWW NOW in the United States and Canada, +44 0 871 288 4799 in the United Kingdom, or +1 503 445 7105 from anywhere else. Our offices are in Portland, Oregon, and London, England.

Do you have more questions?

Call the office and ask! 1-877-SMWW-Now in the US or Canada. In London at +44(0) 871 288 4799 Everywhere else at +1-503-445-7105