Drayton Will Join OSU Staff

Despite Florida's best efforts to deny reality and refute the rumors than Stan Drayton was headed to Ohio State, we now know the truth. The news became official today, which came via OhioStateBuckeyes.com:

COLUMBUS, Ohio -

Stan Drayton, one of the top offensive skill coaches in the nation, is joining the Ohio State football staff as an assistant coach working with the Buckeye wide receivers, Coach Jim Tressel announced today. Drayton will start his duties Feb. 1. "Stan Drayton first and foremost is a fine person and family man. He is a Buckeye born and bred, and will add a tremendous dimension to our football family," Tressel said. "We are fortunate to gain one of the finest coaches in America to serve our kids, school and community."

Drayton comes to Ohio State from Florida, where he served as the Gators' running backs coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2010 season; he also served as Florida's running backs coach from 2005-07, and held the same position at SEC schools Tennessee (2008) and Mississippi State (2004).

With coaching experience and success at every level, Drayton's resume includes stints as an assistant coach at Syracuse (2009), Bowling Green (2000), Villanova (1996-2000), Penn (1995), Eastern Michigan (1994) and Allegheny (1993). From 2001-03, he served as the offensive quality control and assistant special teams coach for the Green Bay Packers, helping them to three NFC playoff appearances. He is a past nominee for the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year award, and was recognized by Rivals as one of the nation's top 25 recruiters.

Three times a first-team All-America selection as a running back at Allegheny (Pa.) College, Drayton is Allegheny's all-time leading rusher and scorer and was a part of the 1990 Division III national championship team. He still holds the Division III single-season record for touchdowns scored per game (3.2). Drayton was a two-time All-American in track as well, competing in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. A 1993 graduate with a bachelor's degree in English, Drayton was inducted into the Allegheny College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

A Cleveland native who is a graduate of John Marshall High School, Drayton and his wife Monique have two daughters, Amari and Anaya.