Ron Courson, the longtime head athletic trainer for the Georgia football program, will be transitioning from the role and into a new position as the University of Georgia Athletic Association’s Executive Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Health and Performance.
The move takes place effective Feb. 1. Courson has served as the UGA Director of Sports Medicine for 30 years after coming to Georgia in 1995.
“Ron’s contributions left an indelible mark on our program, ensuring his legacy as an innovator in athletic training and sports mental health and wellness,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said in a statement put out by the school. “The time, focus and attention that he put into our student-athletes was extraordinary and unmatched. I could not be more grateful for the time I had working with Ron.”
Courson was a vital part of the Georgia football machine, helping a number of key players return from injury over the years, most famously former running back Nick Chubb.
In addition to his work at Georgia — where he also is an adjunct instructor in the kinesiology department — Courson has served as the president of the SEC Sports Medicine Committee, chairman of the College and University Athletic Trainers' Committee of the National Athletic Trainers' Association and as a member of the NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports committee. He is a past medical liaison to the American Football Coaches Association and serves currently on the NFL Health and Safety Committee and the USA Football Medical Advisory Board.
“Over the last three decades, Ron Courson and his department have set the standard for athletic training and sports medicine,” Athletic Director Josh Brooks said in a statement. “Ron has been a leader in his field, while serving the University of Georgia Athletic Association with grace and humility. His accomplishments are many, but his greatest achievements are the countless individuals he mentored and the influence he had on so many of our student-athletes. Thank you, Ron, for your friendship and your tremendous dedication to the Bulldog family.”
In response to Courson’s move, Ryan Madaleno will be the team’s new head athletic trainer and focus on the day-to-day management of the football players’ health. Madaleno has been with the program since 2021, after having previously worked with Florida, Alabama and the New York Giants.
Connor Norman, a former safety and team captain at Georgia, will be the Director of Football Sports Medicine. He was previously the director of rehab for Georgia, serving in the role from 2017-23.
Georgia went 11-3 this past season, finishing the season with a loss to Notre Dame in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.
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