Former Ohio State Assistant Stan Drayton Joins Penn State as Running Backs Coach
Stan Drayton may not be a name frequently mentioned in Ohio State Buckeyes circles anymore, but his impact on the program—particularly in shaping Ezekiel Elliott into a star—was significant. Now, after years away from the Big Ten, Drayton is making a return, though not to a place Buckeyes fans will be thrilled about.
According to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports, Drayton has been hired by the Penn State Nittany Lions as their new running backs coach.
Drayton previously served as Ohio State’s running backs coach from 2012 to 2014, a period during which Elliott emerged as one of the nation’s top backs. Since then, Drayton has had coaching stops in both college football and the NFL, most recently as the head coach at Temple. However, after being fired this offseason, he now returns to a position coaching role—one that, while a step down, could serve as a valuable reset for his career.
His move to Penn State continues a growing trend of former Buckeyes landing in Happy Valley. Earlier this offseason, Penn State lured away former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, giving him the same role with the Nittany Lions. With Drayton now joining the staff, Penn State’s sideline is starting to take on a noticeable Buckeyes influence.
Ohio State will get its chance to face its former coaches on November 1, 2025, in what promises to be a heated Big Ten matchup. While Buckeyes fans will undoubtedly be eager to see their team come out on top, Drayton’s hiring is still a significant move for Penn State’s staff.
All in all, congratulations to Drayton on his new role—though Ohio State fans will certainly be hoping he’s on the losing end when the two programs collide.
