New Hampshire, United States – September 1, 2026 – In football operations across every level, a familiar tension plays out. Coaches want decisions fast. Analysts offer data models. Trust either exists or it does not, and when it breaks, both sides lose. Aneesh Sharma, Director of Game Management and Analytics at Dartmouth and a Quantitative Social Science major graduating in 2027, has worked inside five football programs—the Los Angeles Rams, Navy, Georgia, Dartmouth, and The 33rd Team—and watched this dynamic unfold again and again.
Now he is releasing a framework for fixing it. The new guide, drawn from real situations and structured around recurring decision points, walks through how trust is built before the pressure moments arrive. It names the conversations that matter, the questions that clarify instead of confuse, and the habits that turn skepticism into partnership.
“Leadership qualities are consistently among the most important traits for a coach to have,” Sharma says. “It’s the starting point for the job.” But leadership without collaboration leaves decisions incomplete. The framework addresses that gap.
What the Framework Covers
The guide is organized around three stages: before the season, during live game situations, and after critical decisions. Each stage includes specific action steps, sample language, and red flags that signal when trust is eroding.
Before the season, the framework asks teams to establish what kinds of information coaches actually want and when they want it. Sharma’s approach prioritizes clarity over volume. Analysts often deliver reports full of insights that never get used because no one asked the right questions up front. The guide fixes that with a simple intake process.
During games, the framework addresses how to present recommendations without creating friction. Timing, tone, and format all matter. Sharma has seen fourth-down models that are impossible to consistently use during games because of how quick game management decisions need to be made.
Why This Comes From Experience, Not Theory
Sharma grew up in Florida playing sports and conducting research on cancer fatigue and public health epidemics in high school. That early exposure to research shaped how he thinks about evidence and communication.
His internships gave him a rare view. The Rams operate at the highest level of professional football. Navy and Georgia represent two distinct approaches to college football. The 33rd Team bridges media and front-office thinking. Dartmouth gave him responsibility early.
The framework is not theoretical. It reflects what Sharma has seen work when both sides commit to the process.
What Comes Next
Sharma continues his work at Dartmouth while pursuing his degree in New Hampshire. Outside football, he spends time with 35mm film photography, hiking the Appalachian Trail near campus, and watching films. His volunteer work includes 50 hours at NY Common Pantry in East Harlem during spring 2026, reflecting a broader commitment to service alongside his career in football.
The framework is live now, and Sharma plans to update it based on feedback from teams that adopt it. He is not building a consulting business or positioning himself as a guru. He is sharing what he has learned because the problem is real and the solution is simpler than most people think.
“The fourth-down question is never just about numbers,” Sharma has written. “The best football decisions require more than models.” The new framework shows how to get there.
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Aneesh Sharma
Aneesh Sharma is Director of Game Management and Analytics for Dartmouth football and a Quantitative Social Science major at Dartmouth College, class of 2027. He has held internships with the Los Angeles Rams, Navy football, Georgia football, and The 33rd Team. Originally from Florida, Sharma now resides in New Hampshire, where he combines his work in football analytics with interests in film photography, cinema, and hiking. He volunteers with NY Common Pantry in East Harlem and continues to develop frameworks that improve collaboration in football operations.
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