Redskins hire Ryan Vermillion as new head athletic trainer
By Ian Cummings
The Redskins continue to make changes in the wake of Ron Rivera’s hiring, and the training staff is far from immune.
It comes as no surprise that the Washington Redskins training staff falls under the scope of Ron Rivera’s organizational overhaul. Over the past three seasons, Washington saw an outrageous number of injuries impact their squad, and undiagnosed ailments and other errors led to controversy in various incidents, such as the Trent Williams holdout.
Washington fired longtime head athletic trainer Larry Hess earlier this week. Hess had been the team’s head athletic trainer for 17 years, nearly the entirety of Dan Snyder’s tenure with the team. Hess was a regular in Landover, but Ron Rivera wasted no time in replacing him, bringing on his old head athletic trainer from Carolina.
Per the Washington Redskins team Twitter account, the transaction is now official. Former Panthers trainer and 18-year veteran Ryan Vermillion will be the new head athletic trainer for the burgundy and gold. He’ll be brought on not only to perform the normal functions of a trainer, but also to fracture the distrust that formed in the Redskins locker room over the years.
“For many years, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact Ryan has on a team,” coach Rivera said in an article on Redskins.com. “His primary focus has always been the health of the players and he is going to be a tremendous addition to the Redskins.”
Additionally, Redskins team doctor James Andrews also gave Vermillion a glowing review, as evidenced below:
"The Washington Redskins are very fortunate to be able to add Ryan Vermillion to our training staff. He is one of the most valued and senior athletic trainers in the NFL. His experience in the field brings our medical team to the highest level and furthers our goal of being the best in the NFL."
Vermillion has the accolades to match the good word of mouth. According to the article mentioned above, Vermillion led the Training Staff of the Year in 2003, and in 2016, he was “given the Fain-Cain Memorial Award for Outstanding NFL Trainer of the Year”. Per the article, Vermillion’s expertise stretches not only to weight room practices, on-field injury response, and rehabilitation, but also to nutrition and diet, something that could improve some aspects of the Redskins play.
Next. Redskins turn of the decade offers no historical equal. dark
Washington needed a change in many ways this offseason, and the training staff was near the top of that list. It seems as though Ryan Vermillion matches the team’s needs in that regard. Stick with us for more updates on coaching hires and other reports pertaining to the Redskins organizational rebuild.