Will Penn State assistant Stan Drayton coach in the Pinstripe Bowl after taking a job at South Carolina?

First-year Penn State assistant Stan Drayton will be at South Carolina in 2026. That creates an obvious question: Will he be with the Lions for the Pinstripe Bowl? The Gamecocks introduced their new assistant head coach for offense and running backs coach on Friday in Columbia. During a news conference, Drayton was asked and answered the very question posed above. And he will be part of interim head coach Terry Smith’s staff for the rest of the 2025 season.

“I’ve been through a lot with that program as well,” Drayton said. “We had a tough go. Been through a lot together. I’m going to stick with those guys. I feel like I need to finish what I started. I promised I was going to go to the end with those guys. Let’s go beat Clemson.”

Added Drayton on why he’s joining the Gamecocks:

“I believe in [South Carolina head coach] Shane [Beamer], I know how he’s cut, know how passionate he is about South Carolina, and that’s what I need to be around. That’s what drives me in this game. People who lock elbows, and get aligned, and attack challenges. I’m excited about that opportunity.”

Who is leaving Penn State before the Pinstripe Bowl?

While Drayton is staying until after the Pinstripe Bowl, this list is getting longer seemingly by the day. As of Friday morning, it includes the following:

The Virginia Tech departures

Co-offensive coordinator Ty Howle – Will be the OC at Virginia Tech.

Quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien

Assistant Athletics Director for Football Performance Enhancement Chuck Losey

Special teams analyst Matt Colangelo

Assistant tight ends coach David Rocco

Chief of Staff Kevin Threlkel

General Manager of Personnel and Recruitment Andy Frank

Assistant Director of Player Relations Brett Arnold

Recruiting Coordinator for Personnel Chris Mahon

Assistant Recruiting Coordinator for Personnel Rashad Elby

Aeneas Hawkins, Assistant Director of Player Advancement & Revenue Sharing Strategy

Director of Recruiting Content Caleb Tyler

Director of External Operations Tristin Iannone

Assistant Recruiting Coordinator for Operations and Visits Karsyn Kehler

Director of Internal Operations & Head Coach Logistics Heidi Erb

The people who are leaving Penn State for other schools

Jim Knowles – He is the new defensive coordinator at Tennessee

Players who are out for the Pinstripe Bowl

RB Nick Singleton – NFL Draft

DT Zane Durant – NFL Draft

S Zakee Wheatley – NFL Draft

CB Elliot Washington II – Entering the NCAA transfer portal on Dec. 2