Florida coach Will Muschamp chose to retain Stan Drayton as the running backs coach on his revamped staff, but Drayton didn’t stick with the Gators for long.
Drayton, who is also UF’s recruiting coordinator, officially accepted the wide receivers coaching job at Ohio State, the Buckeyes announced Thursday.
The timing of Drayton’s departure is certainly not ideal for UF, as National Signing Day is Feb. 2, one day after Drayton starts with the Buckeyes. Muschamp will now have to fill the role of running backs coach and select a new recruiting coordinator.
“Our focus will always be on the staff that are here, our current players and the prospective student-athletes we are recruiting,” Muschamp said regarding the move, with no mention of Drayton.
A native of Cleveland who grew up an Ohio State fan, Drayton has had a rocky history with the Gators. He served as Florida’s running backs coach from 2005 to 2007 and took the same position at Tennessee in 2008 after being fired by Urban Meyer.
Following a one-year stint with Syracuse, Drayton returned to UF last season and became one of three Meyer assistants, along with D.J. Durkin and Brian White, to remain on Muschamp’s staff.
“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,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said in a statement. “We are fortunate to gain one of the finest coaches in America to serve our kids, school and community.”
