Whether your goal is coaching, scouting, player personnel, football operations, or the front office, understanding how a head coach builds culture, develops players, structures practices, manages staff, and works with the general manager makes you more valuable inside a football organization.
In this 8-week online course, former NFL Head Coach Marc Trestman takes you inside the leadership, teaching, player development, and organizational principles that shape successful football programs.
NEXT START DATE: October 5
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Former NFL Head Coach Marc Trestman will show you how to:
Build an organizational culture players buy into
Lead teams through success and adversity
Train and mentor assistant coaches
Develop quarterbacks and lead from the QB room
Run safe, effective, and championship-level practices
Manage players and personalities
Script the “First 15” plays to set the tone
Handle media with confidence and professionalism
This course is designed for people who want to better understand how football organizations are led and how coaches, scouts, personnel executives, and operations staff work together.
You do not have to want to become a head coach to benefit from learning how a head coach thinks.
Graduates of SMWW Football Player Development now work across the football industry, including
Ayden Bible – Football Scouting Assistant, University of Maryland
Lauren Davidov – Scouting Assistant, NFL Draft Bible
Nicholas Aiello – Football Ops Coordinator, LA Rams
Nick Lacina – Video Ops, Minnesota Vikings
Ted Goviea – GM, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)
“The weekly Zoom calls gave me insights I could apply right away as a coach.” — Football Coaching Graduate
“This course gave me a new perspective on leadership and building culture. It made me a better scout.” — Scouting Assistant
Marc Trestman is a veteran football coach, offensive strategist, quarterback developer, and leadership educator with decades of experience across the NFL, CFL, and college football.
He served as Head Coach of the Chicago Bears and spent 25 years in the NFL coaching quarterbacks and offenses for organizations including the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns.
He helped guide Rich Gannon to NFL MVP honors and the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII and has coached quarterbacks including Steve Young, Anthony Calvillo, and Ricky Ray.
Trestman is also a three-time Grey Cup champion and two-time CFL Coach of the Year and has built championship teams with both the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts.
Beyond football, Marc teaches leadership and is the author of Perseverance: Life Lessons on Leadership and Teamwork and his new book, Teaching the Game.
His experience gives students something rare: the opportunity to learn football leadership directly from someone who has actually sat in the head coach's chair.
Week 1: Introduction to Football Player Development & Strategy – Meet your mentor Marc Trestman and explore the fundamentals of building players and programs.
Week 2: Leadership Lessons – How to guide players through success and adversity with resilience.
Week 3: The Most Important Room in the Building – A behind-the-scenes look at quarterback development and team leadership.
Week 4: Quarterback Video Analysis – Learn how NFL coaches break down film to maximize performance.
Week 5: Building a Winning Culture – Define what you want your locker room to look like and how to create it.
Week 6: Practice Codes of Ethics – Best practices for structuring ethical, effective, and safe practices.
Week 7: Coaching Relationships – How coaches connect with players, earn trust, and drive growth.
Week 8: Putting It All Together – A final wrap-up week to integrate leadership, culture, and strategy.
In addition to your weekly course sessions with Marc Trestman, students are invited to join Dr. Lynn Lashbrook’s weekly Sunday Worldwide Sports Career Chat.
These live conversations give students another layer of access to SMWW’s football and sports business network. Lynn shares career advice, industry insight, networking strategies, and guidance for students pursuing opportunities in coaching, scouting, player personnel, football operations, and the front office.
As an NFL Agent, former NCAA Athletic Director, and Founder of Sports Management Worldwide, Lynn brings decades of experience helping people build careers in sports.
Marc teaches you how a football organization thinks and operates. Lynn helps you think about where you fit into that organization — and how to build your career.
SMWW President & Founder | NFL Agent | Former NCAA Athletic Director
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook founded Sports Management Worldwide and has spent decades educating, mentoring, and connecting sports professionals around the world. An NFL Agent and former NCAA Athletic Director, he brings extensive experience in football, sports leadership, career development, and networking.
Students in Football Player Development & Strategy receive ongoing access to Lynn’s Sunday Worldwide Sports Career Chats, where SMWW students and graduates discuss careers, industry trends, networking, and opportunities throughout sports.
Earn an official SMWW Certificate of Accomplishment recognizing your training in football leadership, player development, strategy, culture, and organizational decision-making.
Our career team will help you:
Graduates join SMWW’s global football network of coaches, scouts, executives, agents, and player development professionals.
You’ll gain:
Leave the course with stronger football knowledge, a better professional story, and a larger industry network.
Weekly Interactive Zoom Video Chats:
Learn directly from Marc Trestman in live weekly sessions. Ask questions, discuss real football situations, connect with classmates and guest speakers, and build relationships across the football industry. Every session is recorded if you cannot attend live.
Online Education: Complete the course online through weekly readings, assignments, discussions, quizzes, and projects designed to deepen your understanding of football leadership, player development, strategy, and organizational structure.
Marc Trestman Welcome Kit & Books: Start the course with a SMWW Welcome Kit delivered to your door, including a collection of football and leadership books personally selected by Marc Trestman for the course. Your books are included with tuition and become resources you can keep, reference, and use throughout your football career.
Global Participation: SMWW students participate from more than 160 countries, creating a diverse learning environment with perspectives from football and sports organizations around the world.
University Credit Available: Eligible students may earn undergraduate or graduate university credit through Fort Hays State University for an additional fee. Click here for more information.
Sports Career Conferences: SMWW hosts career conferences throughout the year where students and alumni can meet coaches, scouts, GMs, player personnel executives, agents, and other sports professionals. SMWW alumni receive discounted registration. Visit SMWW Sports Career Conferences to learn more. SMWW alumni receive discounts.
Advanced Certificates: Build deeper expertise by combining this course with other SMWW football courses through an Advanced Certificate program, while receiving SMWW’s largest course-bundle discount. Learn more about our Advanced Certificates here.
Military Discount: SMWW offers tuition discounts for active-duty, reserve, and retired military members. For more information on the Military Discount please Click Here.
Education Tax Benefits:
SMWW tuition, books, and course materials may qualify for education-related tax benefits in the United States. Keep your receipts and consult your tax advisor for guidance.
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THREE MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $550
Or a single payment of $1,650 Includes all course textbooks and access to a web-based classroom. Shipping is additional.
APPROXIMATELY $1650
Exact pricing including the discount is shown before you complete checkout. Payment plan options are provided during checkout. PAYMENT METHODS:
       Prerequisites: Must be 18 or older to participate and have a passion for sports.
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NFL Draft Bible Scouting Assistant
LA Rams Football Operations Coordinator
Minnesota Vikings Video Operations
Hamilton Tiger-Cats General Manager
Kansas City Chiefs Game Day Activation
The Football Player Development course was an exceptional way to get my feet wet in learning more about coaching and football specifically. The video chats were definitely my favorite part because I loved the opportunity to hear and ask questions of a mentor who had years of coaching experience.
The Football Player Development course was an exceptional way to get my feet wet in learning more about coaching and football specifically. The video chats were definitely my favorite part because I loved the opportunity to hear and ask questions of a mentor who had years of coaching experience.
After successfully completing the Football Development course, I gained a wealth of knowledge regarding how to work with athletes in all aspects of sports. This included direct advice from an instructor with over 20 years of experience as head coach and offensive coordinator. The course allowed me to add more knowledge to my sports path and education.
After successfully completing the Football Development course, I gained a wealth of knowledge regarding how to work with athletes in all aspects of sports. This included direct advice from an instructor with over 20 years of experience as head coach and offensive coordinator. The course allowed me to add more knowledge to my sports path and education.
I had an amazing time during the 8 weeks. I would recommend if you plan on becoming a coach in the NFL, College, or even High School take this course. It gave me all the confidence I need to take the next steps in my journey.
I had an amazing time during the 8 weeks. I would recommend if you plan on becoming a coach in the NFL, College, or even High School take this course. It gave me all the confidence I need to take the next steps in my journey.
Taking the SMWW course was an incredible experience. Talking to a Super Bowl-winning coach and the team owner on Sundays was a highlight, providing invaluable advice and networking opportunities. The insights and connections gained from this course will significantly enhance my professional career in sports management.
Taking the SMWW course was an incredible experience. Talking to a Super Bowl-winning coach and the team owner on Sundays was a highlight, providing invaluable advice and networking opportunities. The insights and connections gained from this course will significantly enhance my professional career in sports management.
Ayden Bible
Lauren Davidov
Nicholas Aiello
Nick Lacina
Ted Goviea
Duncan Haines Mills