Former Ohio State Assistant Coach Named Penn State Running Backs Coach
In a move that has sparked considerable excitement in the college football world, Penn State University announced the hiring of Stan Drayton as its new running backs coach in early 2025. Drayton, a highly respected coach with a wealth of experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, is known for his ability to develop elite running backs. This hiring marks a significant step in the Nittany Lions’ ongoing efforts to build a championship-caliber coaching staff, and it brings a coach with a storied history at some of the most prestigious programs in the country.
For Drayton, this appointment represents the culmination of a career dedicated to molding some of college football’s most explosive talents. His background includes significant coaching tenures at powerhouse programs such as Ohio State, Texas, and Florida, as well as a stint in the NFL. His connection to Ohio State, in particular, has made this hiring all the more noteworthy.
Stan Drayton’s Coaching Background
Stan Drayton’s coaching career began more than 30 years ago, and throughout that time, he has built a reputation as one of the best running backs coaches in the country. His journey to Penn State has been anything but conventional, but his experiences have given him a unique perspective that will undoubtedly benefit the Nittany Lions.
Early Years and College Football Roots
Drayton’s career in coaching began after his playing days at Allegheny College, where he starred as a running back. While he wasn’t playing at the highest level of college football, his early exposure to the nuances of the game, as both a player and an assistant coach, laid the foundation for his successful coaching trajectory. Drayton’s first coaching stops included positions at schools like Eastern Michigan and Penn, where he gained valuable experience working with developing players and refining his coaching techniques.
As he moved through the coaching ranks, Drayton became more involved in high-level programs, most notably when he joined the staff at Ohio State. This was where he truly began to make a name for himself.
Ohio State: The Launch of a Storied Career
Drayton’s time as an assistant coach at Ohio State in the early 2010s was a period that would define much of his legacy. He served as the Buckeyes’ running backs coach from 2012 to 2014, where he mentored future NFL stars like Ezekiel Elliott, who went on to become one of the league’s most productive running backs for the Dallas Cowboys.
Under Drayton’s tutelage, Elliott’s career flourished. The running back’s production at Ohio State during the 2014 season was extraordinary: he rushed for 1,878 yards and scored 18 touchdowns, including a remarkable performance in the 2015 Sugar Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Elliott’s breakout year helped propel Ohio State to the top of college football, and much of his success can be attributed to Drayton’s coaching. This achievement earned Drayton a reputation as a developer of elite running back talent.
Beyond Elliott, Drayton played a crucial role in developing Ohio State’s entire running back corps, emphasizing fundamentals, vision, and ball security. His ability to coach up players and elevate their skills to the next level was evident, and it was no surprise when the professional football world began taking note of his work.
NFL Stint: Refining His Craft
Following his success at Ohio State, Drayton took a step up to the NFL when he became the running backs coach for the Chicago Bears in 2015. His time in the NFL allowed him to further hone his coaching skills, as he worked with professional athletes who were already among the best in the world. This experience in the NFL helped Drayton develop a greater understanding of the intricacies of the game, as well as how to tailor his coaching style to suit the different needs of professional players.
Drayton’s impact in the NFL was significant, as he helped guide players through the transition from college to professional football. One notable example was his work with Bears running back Jordan Howard, who saw significant improvement under Drayton’s coaching. Howard went on to become one of the most productive backs in the NFL during his time with Chicago, solidifying Drayton’s reputation as an elite running backs coach capable of developing players at the highest level.
Return to College Football: Texas and Temple
In 2017, Drayton returned to college football, taking a position as the associate head coach and running backs coach at the University of Texas. His time in Austin was marked by both success and challenges. Although he didn’t have the same level of individual running back talent at Texas that he did at Ohio State, Drayton worked diligently to develop his players, and the results were evident. Under his leadership, Texas produced several solid running backs, and the Longhorns’ offense became more balanced and effective.
However, Drayton’s most recent chapter came in 2022, when he took on the head coaching role at Temple University. In his three years at Temple, Drayton focused on rebuilding the Owls’ program, instilling discipline and toughness in his players. Although Temple struggled to achieve consistent success under Drayton, his ability to recruit and develop talent did not go unnoticed. His experience leading a program from the top down will serve him well as he transitions back into a coordinator role at Penn State.