7 of the Best Football Colleges

College football is a national pastime that brings together people from all walks of life, and it’s also a big business. Research shows that college football programs bring in an average of nearly $32 million yearly. So if you’re passionate about football to start a career in it, there’s ample opportunity for you at the college level. We’ll help you discover the best football colleges below to help you get started. 

Best Colleges for Football

Our list of the best football colleges will look familiar to you if you pay close attention to the sport. The top schools for these jobs have the most money to spend on their programs, which are, naturally, the ones that perform the best on the field.

1. The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL

The University of Alabama is a football school that needs no introduction. It plays in the SEC – the toughest conference in the nation – and has won 18 recognized national titles in its storied history. If you get a football job here, you’ll get to work with some of the best players and facilities in all of college football.

The University of Alabama is also an excellent academic institution as it regularly receives high marks on the U.S. News’ list of the top public colleges in the country. So if you’re interested in pursuing a college or post-graduate degree while working in football, this could be the school for you.

2. The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

The Ohio State University is another great football college to look into if you’re hoping to live in the Midwest. The school regularly ranks as one of the best teams in college football, and the university invests heavily in its program.

Whether you’re interested in a job as a coach, a trainer, or a recruiter, there are plenty of job opportunities here.

3. The University of Georgia

Athens, GA

The University of Georgia is another SEC powerhouse that deserves some attention. The school is home to more than 40,000 students and has many excellent academic programs to choose from, making it a good fit for anyone who would like to earn an education while pursuing a job in football.

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University hasn’t dominated the field as much as it has in recent years. But it’s still one of the top-spending schools on its football program. That means plenty of job opportunities to choose from. Plus, it’s tough to beat the year-round warm weather that you’ll get to enjoy here.

5. Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

The University of Notre Dame is the first Catholic school on our list, though everyone is welcome. It’s also one of the college football schools with the most history on and off the field. If you’re looking for a warm community, top-notch academics, and a competitive team to support, Notre Dame could be a good option.

6. Penn State University

University Park, PA

Penn State University football is a powerhouse in a conference of powerhouses. If you get a job here, you’d be joining a team with more Big Ten Tournament Titles than anyone else since 1991. 

Penn State is also a large school with plenty of diverse internships, academic opportunities, and extracurricular activities.

7. The University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

Some schools are great at football, and others are great at academics. But few excel at both to the same level that The University of Michigan does.

The school’s football program is regularly near the top of the rankings, and it’s currently ranked as the 3rd-best public university in America by U.S. News. That makes it a great option if you want to pursue a degree while finding your dream job in football.

Finding the Right College for Your Career in Football

At the end of the day, the right college for you is whichever one will allow you to launch your career. The big-name schools on our list were included because they have the funds to hire lots of football support staff in positions like:

• Trainers
• Analytics specialists
• Assistant coaches
• Marketing professionals
• And more

But you don’t have to start your career at a big-name school to work in football. You can focus on three things to find the right fit for your professional goals and academic interests.

Focus on Schools That Make Heavy Investments in Football

Schools that allocate a larger percentage of their budget to their football programs can employ more people. That’s why it’s always a good idea to look for colleges that have historically invested heavily in their football programs. 

These schools will typically have football jobs available more consistently. Plus, you won’t have to worry much about losing a job due to funding at one of these universities.

Know Your Role and Be Able to Communicate It

Just being passionate about football isn’t enough to make it a career. You need to provide value to the team with skills that can support it. That might mean using analytics to highlight important playstyle trends. Or it could involve using your sales skills to help the team sell more season ticket packages. The key is understanding your skills and presenting those to colleges in a way that shows exactly the kind of value you can bring to the team. 

If you don’t have these types of skills yet, don’t worry! You can always pursue an internship and develop them by taking classes at the college you choose.

Focus on Networking

Networking is an extremely important part of getting a job in college football because people naturally tend to hire applicants they know. So you want to make sure you involve yourself in your college’s football program in any way you can to build the kinds of relationships that will eventually get you hired.

You can also use JobsInSports.com to find the latest college football job openings in your area the minute they become available. You can even create an account with us to set up notifications for your favorite programs today.