Aspiring sports professionals lean on the expertise of coaches to help them fine-tune their performances and, ultimately, reach the very top of their respective sports. As a result, some people in law or finance are swapping the office for a nearby sports field, as are former players and stars.
In fact, sports coaching businesses are arguably more in demand than ever. In American football, this certainly applies, with college players with big aims turning to outside coaching services to improve their games. Making it to the NFL isn’t easy, though, but getting a highly qualified coach for one-on-one sessions could help them unlock their potential even further. As of the 2026 season, for example, Drew Brees is the passing game coordinator/assistant coach at Santa Fe Christian School in Solana Beach, California, where his three sons play football. He also previously had a brief formal college-coaching stint at Purdue, joining the staff as a countable assistant for its Citrus Bowl preparation after the 2022
With there being a clear demand for American football coaching businesses, it’s an area of interest for many aspiring business professionals. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before leaving your day job to start your foray into football coaching.
A background in the sport is required
How does someone become an American football coach, you ask? Well, it obviously helps to have a strong background in the sport. We aren’t just talking about attending college football games throughout the season, listening to podcasts, and regularly indulging in DraftKings NFL betting here. Alongside being a passionate fan of this beloved pastime, you ideally need to have played the sport to a reasonably high level in the past. You also need some grassroots coaching experience to help your business stand out. If you don’t have the required experience, now’s the time to build your fundamental coaching skills and work on crucial aspects like patience and communication.
Aim for college football
Alongside coaching at grassroots level, contacting a local college program to see if they need any coaching assistance is worth doing. Ideally, you should only do this once you’ve gained sufficient experience at a lower level, but it’s a sure-fire way of giving your coaching business the credentials it needs. If you can share examples of your work and the types of players you’ve worked with at some of the most esteemed college teams in the country, then it can only benefit your American football coaching business once you do decide to get it off the ground.
Another crucial aspect of football coaching is honing in on one or two areas you’re an expert at. Of course, you can become an all-rounder and cater for a variety of positions on the field, but you’re probably better off focusing on a specific coaching position. Your business could eventually employ people who cover all bases, but to begin with, build your name up as a specialist quarterbacks coach. Then, from there, you can branch out to offer running backs coaches, linebackers coaches, defensive backs coaches, and more.
Build a coaching network
Following on from the point about potentially building a team of coaches, it’s also important to network with fellow coaches to form bonds and potential partnerships. If your coaching business is going to thrive, you’re going to need a team of people who can join your mission. Attend football events, take part in coaching clinics, and never close any doors. After all, connections can be everything in the world of professional sport.
Find the perfect facilities
While you also need to manage social media profiles and build a brand, your coaching business doesn’t stand a chance if you don’t have facilities to work with. You need enough space and you’ll have to invest in specific equipment. Whether you’re leading group sessions or individual coaching slots, your clients must have everything they need to develop.
Since retiring from the NFL in 2021 after a 20-year career, Brees has moved into a mix of broadcasting, philanthropy and, increasingly, entrepreneurship. Business was not entirely new territory: Brees began investing and operating franchises while he was still playing, initially drawn to Jimmy John’s after becoming a fan of the chain at Purdue and noticing its absence in New Orleans. That experience led to a much broader franchise portfolio. He became a partner in Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux in 2015, later investing in brands including Stretch Zone, Dunkin’, Everbowl and Smalls Sliders, where he was an early investor and co-owner. The strategy has produced some significant growth businesses: Everbowl now has more than 100 locations, with roughly 350 more in development, and Brees is its largest franchisee, with 160 locations in various stages of development across 13 states. Smalls Sliders, which Brees backed from its launch in 2019, opened its 50th location in March 2026 after selling hundreds of franchise development commitments. Rather than simply lending his celebrity to the companies, Brees describes his approach as that of an operator and long-term investor, choosing businesses he first believes in as a customer and focusing heavily on culture, employee development and scalable franchise systems.
A life after professional sports can have many dimensions, coaching, entrepreneurship, commentating, and helping others achieve their best may be the best of all worlds.
