Oklahoma head athletic trainer Justin Smith will run the Sooners’ athletic training program as the team chases a repeat College Football Playoff berth.
As detailed by Saturday Down South, Smith arrives in Norman with extensive college and professional experience and steps in with under a month until the 2026 opener.
Key Takeaways
- Justin Smith was hired as Oklahoma’s head athletic trainer and will lead the program’s medical and recovery operations.
- Smith spent 12 years as NC State’s head trainer and seven years as Appalachian State’s head trainer prior to that.
- Johnathan Gress served one season at Oklahoma before leaving to join the Tennessee Titans.
- Brent Venables issued a statement welcoming Smith and praised his experience in the medical space.
Oklahoma head athletic trainer Justin Smith background
Justin Smith arrives in Norman after a long run with collegiate programs, most recently completing a 12-year stint as the head trainer at NC State followed by seven years at Appalachian State earlier in his career.
Smith is an Alabama alumnus and his resume also includes time working in NFL Europe and at Champion Sports Medicine, experiences that broaden his experience beyond the typical college-only trajectory.
Brent Venables framed the hire as a clear acquisition for the staff, saying Smith brings “tremendous wisdom and experience in the medical space” and calling him “one of the absolute best in his field,” language that underscores the program’s expectations for medical oversight and player care.
With the Sooners set to open the 2026 season at home on a Friday night against UTEP, Smith inherits an immediate operational checklist: finalize staffing roles, establish rehabilitation protocols, and integrate with strength and conditioning to manage player availability for the opener.
He replaces Johnathan Gress, who spent a single season on the Sooner staff before accepting a role with the Tennessee Titans, which sets up a short window for continuity work and a fast onboarding process this summer.
Trainer career comparison table
| Name | Recent tenure/stops | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Smith | 12 years at NC State; 7 years at Appalachian State; Alabama alumnus; work in NFL Europe and Champion Sports Medicine | Brings extended collegiate head-trainer experience and professional exposure to Norman ahead of the 2026 season |
| Johnathan Gress | One season at Oklahoma before departing for the Tennessee Titans | Short tenure created a near-term need for an established head trainer to stabilize medical leadership |
SEC and College Football Playoff implications for Oklahoma
Adding a seasoned head athletic trainer matters to on-field availability and midseason durability, two variables that factor heavily into an SEC title chase and any College Football Playoff push.
Smith’s mix of long-term college work and professional exposure should help the staff manage recovery timelines and injury-prevention plans across a conference schedule that demands quick turnarounds and depth management.
Prediction markets currently list Oklahoma at 8% to win the SEC championship in 2026, a number that reflects market sentiment about the roster and broader program pieces; medical and training staff stability is one of those operational variables that can influence week-to-week readiness.
With limited time before the opener, Smith’s early priorities will be establishing trust with players, aligning return-to-play protocols with position coaches, and ensuring the training room is ready for the grind of a full SEC slate.
