Learn From Steve Palazzolo - Host of the 33rd Team's Podcast, Check the Mic, and former PFF Head of Product Development.
In just 8 weeks, this online course will teach you how to break into football analytics and use data to gain a competitive edge in scouting, coaching, and football operations at the NFL and college level.
Plus, you'll get 6 months of PFF Premium access when you sign up for this course!
Become a Football Analyst and Transform How Teams Win
In today’s game, football analytics is no longer optional—it’s essential. From the NFL to NCAA programs, franchises are building entire analytics departments to guide decisions on player evaluation, game strategy, the NFL Draft, free agency, and salary cap management.
This 8-week online football analytics course gives you real-world training to break into the booming field of football data and analytics.
NEXT START DATE: April 27
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If you want to work in football analytics, scouting, or football operations, you need more than passion—you need demonstrable analytical skills and experience applying data the way teams actually do. This 8-week online Football Analytics course from Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) is designed to help you build those skills and take a meaningful step toward a career in football.
You’ll learn modern football analytics concepts, apply them to real scenarios, and work with professional-grade data, including 6 months of PFF Premium access, all while being taught by two of the most respected figures in the field.
Course highlights:
Football analytics training focused on real-world application
Taught by Aaron Schatz, creator of DVOA and founder of Football Outsiders
Led by Steve Palazzolo, former Head of Product for PFF’s Football Division
6 months of PFF Premium included to support assignments and projects
Resume-building analytics experience for aspiring football professionals
Each week, you’ll tackle a new area of football analytics and build job-ready skills that teams and media outlets are hiring for:
Week 1 – The Real-World Challenges of Football Analytics
Week 2 – The Evolution of Football Data & Metrics
Week 3 – Analytics in the Marketplace: Teams, Media, and Betting
Week 4 – In-Game Strategy and Play Calling
Week 5 – Roster Building & Free Agency Decisions
Week 6 – NFL Draft Analytics & Prospect Evaluation
Week 7 – Salary Cap and Contract Analysis
Week 8 – Sports Science, Player Health & Load Management
This course is for anyone looking to start or advance a career in:
NFL or College Football Analytics
Scouting & Football Operations
Fantasy Football & Betting Analysis
Front Office or Salary Cap Roles
Sports Media & Data Journalism
No coding or advanced math required—just a love of the game and the drive to learn.
Many people searching for football analytics jobs or how to get a job in football analytics quickly discover the same problem: teams want candidates who can think analytically and apply data, not just talk about it.
This course is built to address that gap.
Rather than teaching analytics in isolation, the Football Analytics course focuses on:
Understanding why football analytics matters in decision-making
Learning how teams, analysts, and football operations staff actually use data
Applying analytics to player evaluation, team performance, and strategy
The result is an educational experience that prepares you for the expectations of real football analytics roles—not just academic discussion.
As part of the Football Analytics course, your tuition includes 6 months of PFF Premium access, starting on day one of the class.
PFF Premium is widely used across the football industry, from NFL and college teams to media, analysts, and evaluators. In this course, PFF is used as a practical learning tool—supporting the analytics concepts taught throughout the program.
Students use PFF Premium during select assignments and projects to:
Analyze player and team performance using advanced football data
Interpret grades, metrics, and contextual information
Understand how professional organizations incorporate PFF data into broader analytical workflows
Instruction on PFF usage is led by Steve Palazzolo, a former PFF executive who helped build the platform and understands how it is used in real football environments.
This ensures students graduate with both conceptual understanding and applied experience, a key differentiator for those pursuing football analytics careers.
Steve Palazzolo has joined the 33rd Team, a football organization started by former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum and former NFL CEO Joe Banner. Steve was with PFF since 2011 and he served as the Head of Product for the Football Division. He was the sixth full-time employee at PFF which went from startup to the premier football data provider, working with 32 NFL teams, 126 FBS teams, every other major football league, agents, and media.
Steve oversaw the development of PFF’s flagship product, PFF Ultimate, as well as PFF IQ, a new product centered around PFF’s data science insights. PFF Ultimate is used extensively across the football landscape, leveraging the PFF database to assist NFL and college teams at every level of the organization. PFF IQ brings PFF’s insights to life, aiding in team-building decisions at the NFL and college level as well as in-game decision-making.
Prior to his role as Head of Product, Steve was the Director of Video Content at PFF while doubling as a Senior Analyst as one of the first play-by-play graders in the company. Steve has been co-hosting the PFF NFL Podcast since 2013 and it has developed into one of the top NFL podcasts in the world by bringing a fresh perspective to NFL analysis. Steve has also been featured on NFL Network, NBC, Sirius XM, and several other media outlets.
In his current role as "Check the Mic" host, Steve hosts the 33rd Team's premier football podcast to discuss the inner workings of the NFL and all things football. Prior to joining the 33rd Team and PFF, Steve played eight years of minor league baseball, making it as high as Triple-A with the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and various independent teams
NFL Analytics Pioneer | Creator of DVOA | Chief Analytics Officer at FTN Fantasy
Aaron Schatz isn’t just teaching football analytics—he helped invent it. As the founder of Football Outsiders and the creator of the game-changing DVOA and DYAR metrics, Aaron’s work is used by NFL front offices, fantasy analysts, sports bettors, and major networks like ESPN. He’s now Chief Analytics Officer at FTN Fantasy and one of only 50 members of the AP panel that votes on NFL awards and All-Pro honors.
In this course, you’ll learn directly from the man who built modern football analytics—how to analyze teams, evaluate players, and think like a front office. Whether you want to work in the NFL, college football, fantasy, or media, Aaron will show you how to turn data into opportunity.
By the end of this Football Analytics course, you’ll have practical, job-relevant skills that can be confidently highlighted on your resume when pursuing football analytics jobs or related roles.
You’ll learn how to:
Evaluate team efficiency and performance using advanced football metrics
Analyze player performance with contextual and situational data
Apply PFF data to real football questions and decisions
Understand the strengths and limitations of different analytics models
Communicate analytical insights clearly to coaches, executives, media, and football stakeholders
These skills are directly applicable to entry-level and developmental roles across professional and collegiate football.
Every NFL, NCAA, and CFL team is investing in analytics to gain a competitive edge. From fourth-down decisions to draft-day trades, data is shaping the future of football—and this course teaches you how to be part of it.
Led by Aaron Schatz, the NFL analytics pioneer who created DVOA and revolutionized football metrics, this 8-week course gives you insider knowledge and hands-on skills in:
In-game strategy and decision-making
Draft analytics and free agency models
Salary cap and player valuation metrics
Sports science, injury prevention, and performance tracking
Tools for fantasy football, sports betting, and media analysis
Whether you want to work in a front office, media booth, sportsbook, or fantasy league, this course will show you how to turn football data into career opportunities.
You’ll also build real relationships through weekly live Zoom chats with Aaron Schatz and your classmates—plus get help redesigning your resume to showcase your new credentials.
Football analytics is more than a trend. It’s your way into the game.
Weekly Interactive Zoom Video Chats: A unique aspect of each 8-week course is the opportunity for students to participate in weekly, live interactive Zoom video chats with world-renowned statistician Aaron Schatz and Steve Palazzolo, fellow students, Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, and renowned guest speakers. This is a tremendous opportunity to network within professional football via the internet. This is available via any online computer. Live interactive Zoom video chats are recorded and archived so students can listen live or at their convenience.
Online Education: This innovative academic course is facilitated through a web-based educational delivery system. You will enjoy the online discussion boards, weekly readings, weekly quizzes, course projects, and interaction amongst fellow football business-minded students and faculty. All course materials and textbooks are included in the course fee.
Global Participation: SMWW students participate from over 162 countries. Courses have an international influence and instructors will cater assignments to specific countries or leagues.
University Credit Available: For additional fees to Fort Hays State University in Kansas, you may receive graduate or undergraduate university credit for Sports Management Worldwide's courses. Click here for more information.
Football Career Conferences: All SMWW students are encouraged to attend the yearly SMWW NFL Combine Career Conference. All SMWW Students receive a huge discount to attend. This is an incredible opportunity to network with fellow students, football executives, and SMWW faculty.
Advanced Certificates: Want to take your career to the next level? Our Advanced Certificates have been hand-selected by our team of sports industry experts to put you on a path to success. These bundles allow you to take advantage of our biggest discount available, by bundling multiple courses and becoming an expert in that field. Learn more about our Advanced Certificates here.
Military Discount: For those individuals who represent their country in military service, (active, reserve, or retired) we offer a discount. Thank you for serving your country! For more information on the Military Discount Click Here.
Tax Write Off (For USA Citizens): SMWW course tuition, books, and supplies can be used for education tax credits. Save your receipts and consult with your tax advisor on how this applies to you.
This Football Analytics course is designed for individuals who want to move closer to working in football.
Students complete the program with:
Applied experience using professional football analytics tools
Exposure to how analytics is used in front offices, scouting, and media
Coursework that demonstrates analytical thinking, problem-solving, and football knowledge
Graduates pursue opportunities in:
NFL and college football operations
Football analytics and research roles
Scouting, personnel, and player evaluation support
Media, content creation, fantasy, and sports analytics platforms
While no football analytics certification can guarantee a job, this course is built to help you become more competitive and better prepared for opportunities in the football industry.
As a graduate of the Football Analytics course, you’ll receive:
An official SMWW Certificate of Accomplishment
A resume reference from Aaron Schatz, Steve Palazzolo, and Dr. Lynn Lashbrook
A redesigned resume to showcase your new skills and credibility
Eligibility to become a featured SMWW Football Scout—complete with your own online profile, bio, and sample analytics reports
We don’t just teach you—we help you launch your career.
Start analyzing football like the pros.
Apply now to join the next Football Analytics course.
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THREE MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $650
Or a single payment of $1,950 Includes all course textbooks and access to a web-based classroom. Shipping is additional.
APPROXIMATELY $1950
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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Hamilton Tiger-Cats General Manager
I would just like to thank you for the last 8 weeks through the course. It is the first time I have enjoyed studying in my life. You made it extremely interesting and made the learning process as smooth as possible. Your teaching has also given me even more motivation to make a career out of it, hopefully in the NFL!
I would just like to thank you for the last 8 weeks through the course. It is the first time I have enjoyed studying in my life. You made it extremely interesting and made the learning process as smooth as possible. Your teaching has also given me even more motivation to make a career out of it, hopefully in the NFL!
This course has made me more critically assess my preconceived assumptions about the NFL and its players and teams. Aaron and Mike are very thoughtful and penetrating in their use of analytics to explain various NFL trends, and they have taught me to investigate if data truly supports decisions and ideas that I previously took for granted.
This course has made me more critically assess my preconceived assumptions about the NFL and its players and teams. Aaron and Mike are very thoughtful and penetrating in their use of analytics to explain various NFL trends, and they have taught me to investigate if data truly supports decisions and ideas that I previously took for granted.
Challenge yourself everyday to get better. You need a plan. Network. SMWW gives you access to people who know how to get there.
Challenge yourself everyday to get better. You need a plan. Network. SMWW gives you access to people who know how to get there.
This is a great course! I have taken many statistics courses - for business and science and they can be very daunting but this course made even the most complicated football stats (and their math) easy to comprehend, apply and actually made it fun.
This is a great course! I have taken many statistics courses - for business and science and they can be very daunting but this course made even the most complicated football stats (and their math) easy to comprehend, apply and actually made it fun.
This course allowed me to reconnect with the spot I love in a different way than before. I work with professional athletes on a regular basis but this will help me to analyze what they do on the field more. I look forward to being able to use what I have learned during this course in the line of work I am in now. I also look forward to seeing what new opportunities having this course under my belt will bring me in the future.
This course allowed me to reconnect with the spot I love in a different way than before. I work with professional athletes on a regular basis but this will help me to analyze what they do on the field more. I look forward to being able to use what I have learned during this course in the line of work I am in now. I also look forward to seeing what new opportunities having this course under my belt will bring me in the future.
I took this course in hopes of furthering my football career. Through the course, I learned a lot about the business in the NFL and also techniques on scouting players as both an athlete and also on their character. I am currently a high school football coach and middle school teacher. This summer I will also be the camp manager for the Philadelphia Eagles youth football camp. I feel having this course on my resume greatly helped with this opportunity.
I took this course in hopes of furthering my football career. Through the course, I learned a lot about the business in the NFL and also techniques on scouting players as both an athlete and also on their character. I am currently a high school football coach and middle school teacher. This summer I will also be the camp manager for the Philadelphia Eagles youth football camp. I feel having this course on my resume greatly helped with this opportunity.
Flint Given
Peter Hontas
Ayden Bible
Ted Goviea
