New York Giants Tap Military Rehab Expert as Head Athletic Trainer

Adam Bennett brings experience from the Air Force and college football to the NFL franchise.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:57pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a football player's body deconstructed into overlapping planes of blue and red, capturing the raw energy and movement of the sport.The Giants' new head athletic trainer brings a fresh, multifaceted approach to injury rehabilitation and player performance.Boca Raton Today

The New York Giants have named Adam Bennett as their new head athletic trainer, ending a decades-long tenure under Ronnie Barnes. Bennett arrives with a diverse background, including leading military rehabilitation efforts and serving as head athletic trainer at the University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University.

Why it matters

This transition marks a significant shift for the Giants, as Ronnie Barnes had held the head trainer role since 1981. Some may question whether introducing a new head trainer after so many years will alter the team's medical culture or injury recovery timelines, while others see Bennett's blend of military and college experience as uniquely positioning him to handle the Giants' injury landscape.

The details

Bennett is a certified athletic trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist, and certified performance sports scientist. Most recently, he led as head athletic trainer at the University of Miami, helping guide the program to the 2025-2026 College Football National Championship. Prior to his collegiate work, he served at the Special Operations Command Headquarters at McGill Air Force Base, where he focused on rehabilitating injured service members.

  • Bennett was the head athletic trainer at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) from 2017 to 2021.
  • He joined the University of Miami as head athletic trainer in 2023.
  • The New York Giants announced Bennett's appointment as their new head athletic trainer on April 12, 2026.

The players

Adam Bennett

The New York Giants' new head athletic trainer, with a diverse background in military rehabilitation, college football, and professional sports medicine.

Ronnie Barnes

The Giants' previous head athletic trainer since 1981, who has now moved into a broader medical services leadership position with the team.

New York Giants

The NFL franchise that has appointed Adam Bennett as their new head athletic trainer, ending a decades-long era under Ronnie Barnes.

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What they’re saying

“Military personnel sometimes carry injuries for years, due to demanding deployments that left little time for proper recovery.”

— Adam Bennett, Head Athletic Trainer, University of Miami

What’s next

The Giants will be closely watched to see if Bennett's arrival leads to any changes in the team's medical culture or injury recovery timelines compared to the long-tenured Ronnie Barnes era.

The takeaway

Adam Bennett's diverse background in military rehabilitation, college football, and professional sports medicine could provide a unique perspective to help the Giants navigate their injury landscape, but the transition from the long-serving Ronnie Barnes also raises questions about potential disruption to the team's established medical practices.