Report: The Saints’ injured rehab director Jonathan Gress departs for his alma mater’s homecoming

In a significant shift for the New Orleans Saints’ medical staff, Jonathan Gress, the highly regarded Director of Rehabilitation, has announced his departure from the NFL franchise to return to his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma, as the head athletic trainer for the Sooners’ football program. This move marks a notable homecoming for Gress, a Norman, Oklahoma native, and presents a new chapter in his distinguished career in sports medicine.

Gress’s exit from the Saints, confirmed by multiple reports on Monday, June 9, 2025, leaves a considerable void in the team’s sports performance department. Since his promotion to Director of Rehabilitation in 2019, Gress has been a pivotal figure in managing the health and recovery of the Saints’ players, developing and implementing intricate treatment plans, and proactively working to prevent injuries. His tenure in New Orleans, which began in 2018 as an assistant athletic trainer, has been characterized by a diligent and often innovative approach to player well-being in the demanding environment of professional football.

A Pillar of the Saints’ Medical Staff

Jonathan Gress joined the New Orleans Saints in 2018, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous roles. Prior to his time in New Orleans, he served as an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist with the Miami Dolphins for four seasons (2014-2018). His collegiate experience includes a four-year stint (2010-2014) at the University of Arizona as an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist. This diverse background, spanning both collegiate and professional sports, equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of athlete care across various stages of their careers.

His academic credentials further underscore his expertise. Gress earned a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2008, followed by an additional master’s degree in athletic training from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2010. This dual specialization in physical therapy and athletic training provided him with a unique and invaluable skill set for overseeing player rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Upon his elevation to Director of Rehabilitation with the Saints, Gress’s responsibilities expanded to encompass a holistic approach to player recovery. He was tasked with not only rehabilitating players after injuries but also with developing comprehensive injury reduction programs and conducting risk assessments. In a league where player availability is paramount, Gress’s role was critical to the Saints’ success. His work involved close collaboration with players, coaches, and other medical professionals, designing individualized plans to return athletes to peak performance safely and efficiently.

The Impact and Lingering Questions

The impact of Jonathan Gress on the Saints’ rehabilitation program is undeniable, though the exact extent of it is often a subject of internal team analysis. In the high-stakes world of the NFL, injuries are an inherent part of the game, and the effectiveness of a team’s medical and rehabilitation staff can significantly influence its performance.

During Gress’s time as Director of Rehabilitation, the Saints navigated seasons with varying degrees of injury concerns. While it’s difficult to attribute specific player recovery outcomes solely to one individual in a multifaceted medical team, Gress’s leadership in rehabilitation was a constant.

The departure of a key figure like Gress inevitably prompts questions, particularly in the context of recent injury challenges faced by the Saints. The team, like many in the NFL, has seen its share of high-profile injuries, some of which have involved protracted recovery timelines. While the complexities of sports injuries mean there are always “circumstantial risks,” as one report noted, the effectiveness of the rehabilitation process is always under scrutiny. The case of wide receiver Michael Thomas, whose recovery from various ailments spanned multiple seasons and presented numerous challenges, highlighted the intense focus on player health within the organization and among the fanbase.

The Saints now face the task of either promoting from within their existing medical staff or seeking an external candidate to fill Gress’s vital role. The recent hiring of Ted Rath as Director of Sports Performance suggests a potential restructuring or redistribution of responsibilities within the sports science department. How the Saints choose to address this opening will be a significant storyline to watch as they prepare for the upcoming season.

A Return to the Sooner State

For Jonathan Gress, the move to the University of Oklahoma represents a full-circle journey back to his roots. As a Norman native and an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, this transition is a homecoming in the truest sense. The opportunity to lead the athletic training program for the Sooners’ football team, a program with a storied history and a passionate fanbase, is a prestigious one.

Reports indicate that Oklahoma’s decision to bring in Gress comes after a rigorous assessment of their own medical staff, particularly in the wake of a 2024 season that saw a number of impactful injuries, especially along the offensive line and at wide receiver. The Sooners’ general manager, Jim Nagy, is reportedly keen on retooling the program’s front office with individuals possessing NFL experience, and Gress perfectly fits that mold. Head coach Brent Venables also publicly acknowledged ongoing changes to the medical staff, signaling the program’s commitment to prioritizing player health.

Gress’s expertise in comprehensive treatment plans, risk assessment, and injury reduction aligns perfectly with Oklahoma’s stated goals. His deep understanding of high-performance athletic rehabilitation, honed over years in the NFL, will be invaluable to a collegiate program operating at the elite level of the SEC. The transition from the professional ranks, with its specific demands and resources, to the collegiate environment will present new challenges, but Gress’s proven track record suggests he is well-equipped to meet them.

The Future of Player Care

Jonathan Gress’s move underscores a broader trend in sports medicine: the increasing specialization and importance of rehabilitation and injury prevention. As the physical demands on athletes continue to escalate, the roles of athletic trainers and physical therapists become ever more critical. The commitment to sophisticated diagnostic tools, personalized recovery protocols, and proactive injury mitigation strategies is paramount for both professional and collegiate sports organizations.

For the New Orleans Saints, Gress’s departure marks an inflection point. While changes in staff are a routine part of professional sports, the rehabilitation director holds a particularly sensitive position. The team’s ability to maintain its standard of player care and minimize injury downtime will be a key factor in their competitiveness.

For Jonathan Gress, his return to Oklahoma is a testament to the allure of his alma mater and the opportunity to build a new legacy in a familiar setting. He leaves the Saints with a reputation as a highly competent and dedicated professional, and his impact on the health of the team’s athletes will be remembered. His journey highlights the intricate and vital work performed behind the scenes, ensuring that the athletes we admire are able to perform at their best, and recover effectively when the inevitable challenges of competition arise.