Everything new South Carolina running backs coach Stan Drayton said in introductory press conference

South Carolina held an introductory press conference on Friday for its new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, Kendal Briles; offensive line coach, Randy Clements; and running back coach/assistant head coach of the offense, Stan Drayton.

Drayton joins the staff from Penn State, where he held the same role. Here is everything the new running backs coach had to say, along with some words from head coach Shane Beamer.

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Opening Statement

“Yeah, thank you, Shane, just really super excited to be here. You know, it’s an eerie feeling being here in Columbia, because the last time I was here was a night game, brought a Florida team in here, and all I ever can remember is how loud that place gets. You know what I mean? And so the passion that I know is here for this program, in this room, from leadership, meeting the president of this university, great university. And you know, Jeremiah [Donati] helped me through the process. I know it’s real, you know.

“And you know, the decision was easy for me. You know, there hasn’t been many opportunities in 33 years where I can work with or for someone that I can absolutely let my hair down and be me and know exactly what’s expected of me and know exactly what I can expect of that person. So it’s an honor to be here. It was a family decision. My wife and I make these decisions together, my beautiful wife. Her and I’ve been together for over 30 years now, and we’ve seen a lot, we’ve been through a lot, we’ve grown a lot. Football has raised our family in a lot of ways. We know that when adversity hits programs, it brings the true essence of who people are. And so I’m excited about getting in the bunker with these coaches and really learn what it’s about, about these people and why they chose to be here.

“We know we have a hill to climb, but, man, there are so many great things on the journey when you’re climbing towards something great, you know. And so I know that this place, you know, has all the resources and all the resources and all we need to embrace this climb. And I’m really excited to get in the bunker with these guys and start taking that first step toward that. So thanks for having me.”

Will you stay with Penn State for the bowl game?

“Yes, I will. I’ve been through a lot with that program as well. You know, we had a tough go, and we’ve been through a lot together with the release of our head coach mid-season. So yeah, I’m going to stick with those guys. I just feel like I need to finish what I started. You know, they believe in me, and I believe in them, and, you know, I promised them that, you know, I was going to go all the way to the end with those guys. So I am going to complete my time today. Let’s go beat Clemson.”

What do you remember about working with Coach Beamer 20 years ago, and what does it mean to you that he said that you were the only guy that he was interested in?

“We had an opportunity that we were both blessed to have. You know, you’re working for a great guy, and we were just trying to do right, trying to figure it out, we’re in, you know, rare territory down in Mississippi at that time. And I’m not gonna tell some of these stories. They’re all good, but, you know, they’re a little long for the moment right now. But no, I just knew he was a, you know, coming from a legacy that was trying to build his own name.

“You know, his dad was well known, obviously. But you know, this guy was sharp and, you know, just always constantly trying to, you know, reinvent himself and learn and just be on top of it. And that’s what he was. He was sharp as a web, even back then. So to say that, you know, I was the only pick for him for this position. I mean, you know, it’s amazing for someone to say that about you. You know, in any respect, this is awesome, you know. And you know, it’s the reason why I’m here. To be quite honest with you, I just believe in Shane. I know how he’s cut. I know how he is about South Carolina, and, you know, he’s a guy who will get in the trenches and give it everything he’s got, and that’s what I need to be around. You know, that’s what drives me in this game, is people who lock elbows and, you know, get aligned and attack challenges, and that’s what I’m looking forward to being here, you know? So it’s awesome to be here. I’m excited about that opportunity.”

Has there been any kind of preliminary conversations about what the ‘Assistant Head Coach of the Offense’ role will look like next season?

“No, not necessarily, you know, I’m just here to be a part of this staff, and whatever role I’m asked to do, I’m going to do, you know. It’s going to force alignment in order for us to win, and that’s what I’m here to do. And that’s pretty much it.”

Shane Beamer’s thoughts on Drayton

“And then finally, want to introduce our new running backs coach (and) assistant head coach for offense, Stan Drayton. Just to be completely honest, Stan’s what I’m looking forward to running back position since I got hired in December of 2020. He is the total package. I’ve worked with him. I know the kind of person he is. When I made the change at running back, there was one running backs coach that I thought of, there was one running backs coach that I called, there was one running backs coach that I offered a job to, and no one else. And it was this guy right here, because I know what he’s about.”

“First of all, he’s awesome, but his beautiful wife and their two daughters being a part of the Gamecock family, but Stan and I work together at Mississippi State back in 2004. I was a 26-year-old graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee working for Philip Fulmer. Got an opportunity to go coach in the SEC at Mississippi State University for Sylvester Croom, first African American Coach in the history of the Southeastern Conference. And I think Coach Croom was probably looking for young coaches that he could hire cheap and Stan and I in the bill on that one. So we went to I got hired in 2004 at Mississippi State, working with the defense. Stan had been with the Green Bay Packers and working with Coach Croom. When Coach Croom got the job. Coach Croom brought him, he hired me and for that I’m forever grateful. I know how we both feel about Sylvester Croom. We only spent one year together, but it was a powerful year for me to be able to learn to see his work ethic, what he’s about as a running back, what he’s about as a person.”

“Spent one season with him. We were laughing the other day. Emily [Beamer] and I were dating at the time, and I took Emily when we were just dating, when Stan was leaving Starkville for another job, took Emily to the house to say goodbye. I think I was the young guy just trying to impress the girl that I was dating. Like, let me take you over here and see Stan and Monique. And this is what it could be our lifestyle one day, baby and all that. She bought it because we’re going on 20 years here in June. But Stan’s up, Stan’s awesome. Left Mississippi State, and then what really, you know, saw him during that year in Starkville, but then how he’s grown as a coach and the people that he’s been around, the University of Florida, Ohio State University, University of Texas. I went and visited the Chicago Bears when he was coaching running backs with the Chicago Bears, and he was up there with Alshon Jeffrey, and then last season at Penn State, been a head coach at Temple. So so much that I’ll be able to lean on him for somebody that I trust and respect greatly and being able to get him here to be a part of the program is an absolute Grand Slam for us.”

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