---
title: Jim Madaleno Retires After 28 Years at Kentucky, Courtney Jones Named Successor
description: University of Kentucky’s Jim Madaleno retires after 28 years of leadership in sports medicine; protégé Courtney Jones steps in to continue his legacy.
image: https://blog.healthyroster.com/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20And%20Sports%20Medicine%20News-1.jpg
---

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 June 23, 2026

# Jim Madaleno Retires After 28 Years at Kentucky, Courtney Jones Named Successor

![Picture of Tim Clark](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Clark.jpg?width=50&name=Tim%20Clark.jpg) By  [ Tim Clark ](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/author/tim-clark)  ·   1 minute read

![Articles for Athletic Trainers and News Stories](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20News%20and%20Articles%20-%20Small.png?width=500&height=150&name=Athletic%20Training%20News%20and%20Articles%20-%20Small.png)

After nearly three decades of service, Jim Madaleno, Executive Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine and Performance at the University of Kentucky, is retiring. His last day is set for Monday, August 18, concluding a remarkable tenure that began in 1997.

<https://ukathletics.com/news/2025/08/16/jim-madaleno-executive-associate-athletics-director-for-sports-medicine-and-performance-will-retire/>Madaleno first joined UK as head Athletic Trainer, working primarily with football before rising to Director of Sports Medicine in 2004. In 2015, he transitioned into a broader leadership role, overseeing an expansion of health services for student-athletes.

Three years later, he was elevated to Executive Associate Athletics Director, where his responsibilities grew to include athletic training, strength and conditioning, performance nutrition, mental health initiatives, and serving as the athletics liaison to UK HealthCare.

*“Jim Madaleno’s effect on the sports medicine field has reached far beyond our student-athletes, as he has made significant impact on our University, in the Southeastern Conference and nationally,” said UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart. “Jim’s central focus always has been the well-being of the student-athletes entrusted to his care.”*

Throughout his career, Madaleno mentored hundreds of young professionals, many of whom now lead sports medicine programs across the SEC and NFL, including his son, Ryan, who serves as head football Athletic Trainer at Georgia. In 2024, Madaleno received the inaugural James R. Andrews Award for excellence in sports medicine, adding to a list of honors that includes the SEC’s Chris Patrick Award and Michael L. Slive Distinguished Service Award.

Succeeding him is Courtney Jones, a longtime Kentucky Athletic Trainer and former protégé of Madaleno. Jones, who has served UK for 16 years, will step into the Executive Associate Athletics Director role.

*“I am thrilled with the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of my mentor, Jim Madaleno,” Jones said. “The University of Kentucky is such a special place to me, and I am honored to continue serving our student-athletes.”*

Read the whole story [here](https://ukathletics.com/news/2025/08/16/jim-madaleno-executive-associate-athletics-director-for-sports-medicine-and-performance-will-retire/)! 

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