Corporate law attorney in Drayton, SC.
South Carolina has become a magnet for enterprise, hosting over 1,100 international firms. Perfectly situated between New York and Miami, our state boasts a deep-water port, bustling container terminals, and Charleston's international airport, all of which make it a gateway for worldwide commerce. Leading companies in automotive, aerospace, technology, and life sciences are increasingly choosing South Carolina as the place to launch or grow their operations.
Owning a business - whether it's a small storefront or a worldwide brand - can be incredibly rewarding. But those benefits come with many hurdles and legal challenges. At Cobb Hammett, our corporate law attorneys in Drayton, SC. work alongside business entities to minimize their risk and maximize their profit. Regardless of the size or corporate structure of your organization, we have the experience necessary to provide advice on a variety of business and legal issues.
- Corporate law attorney in Drayton, SC.
- From commercial real estate transactions to shareholder disputes, trust Cobb Hammett for tailored corporate law counsel.
- What is Corporate Law in South Carolina?
- The Role of Corporate Law Attorneys in South Carolina
- Why Do Great Business Leaders Use Corporate Law Attorneys in Drayton, SC.?
- Partner Disputes in South Carolina
- Complex Business Formation in South Carolina
- Sole Proprietorships
- Limited Liability Partnerships
- Limited Liability Companies
- Top 5 Ways Corporate Law Attorneys in Drayton, SC. Assist Business Owners After Registration
- Cobb Hammett: The Trusted Choice for Corporate Law Attorneys in Drayton, SC.
What is Corporate Law in South Carolina?
Corporate law, also known as company law, shapes the entire life cycle of a corporation, from its birth to its daily workings and pivotal moments like mergers, acquisitions, or winding down. It acts as a guiding framework, ensuring that companies play by the rules when it comes to structure, finance, governance, and a web of state or federal regulations, including securities, labor, and environmental standards. At its heart, corporate law orchestrates the interactions between the company, its shareholders, directors, other businesses, and the public, navigating a landscape of intricate transactions and legal responsibilities.
The Role of Corporate Law Attorneys in South Carolina
Companies and corporations that operate in South Carolina have to abide by many regulations to minimize legal challenges, receive tax benefits, and more. Working with a corporate lawyer for guidance on these matters isn't just wise - it could be a pivotal decision that affects the life of your business.
Without great legal counsel from the start, business owners are exposed to a range of pitfalls, from poorly drafted agreements and intellectual property conflicts to regulatory missteps. Such mistakes may result in costly lawsuits or financial setbacks that proactive legal advice could have prevented.
Here are a few of the biggest benefits of retaining a corporate law lawyer in Drayton, SC:
Startup Advice
Partnering with a skilled business attorney from the outset allows entrepreneurs to confidently navigate the hurdles of launching a company. Early legal insight is especially crucial, as it lays down a solid framework that safeguards your interests far into the future.
Take, for instance, the decision around business structure—whether to form an LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, or S corporation. Each path comes with its own set of liability protections and tax consequences. Making an informed choice at the outset can lead to long-term savings, minimize risks, and potentially insulate you from personal financial exposure.
Contract Creation and Enforcement
One frequent mistake that business owners make is misinterpreting contracts. This can cause unfavorable disputes or terms. Contracts help govern a range of business relationships, like:
- Supplier Contracts
- Employment Contracts
- Independent Contractor Agreements
- Client Agreements
- Partner Agreements
- Investor and Stakeholder Contracts
- Consultant Agreements
Each contract your business enters into is shaped by the unique dynamics between you and the other party involved. For instance, agreements with customers specify deliverables and payment terms, while contracts with consultants or contractors detail the services to be provided and the schedule for compensation. An experienced corporate law attorney can tailor these documents to maximize your company's legal safeguards and minimize potential risks.
Help Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Safeguarding your company's intellectual property, like trademarks, copyrights, and patents, requires specialized legal expertise. A corporate business lawyer not only helps secure these rights but also guides you through registration, enforces protections, and drafts strong licensing agreements to leverage your assets.
Spot and Manage Risk
The world of business is full of potential risks, from financial pitfalls to unexpected legal challenges. Effectively navigating these uncertainties is crucial for preserving your assets, maintaining stability, and ensuring long-term success. By working with a corporate law attorney, you gain a trusted advisor who can pinpoint legal vulnerabilities, recommend compliance best practices, and devise proactive strategies to minimize disputes and safeguard your investments.
Why Do Great Business Leaders Use Corporate Law Attorneys in Drayton, SC.?
At Cobb Hammett, we advise businesses on their legal rights, responsibilities, and obligations. We focus on a variety of challenges and legal issues across industries and represent businesses of all sizes. Our representation extends beyond technical legal advice; we also serve as trusted advisors and counselors, discussing the commercial and practical implications of business decisions.
In fact, business leaders trust our firm to handle many facets of corporate law, including:
Partner Disputes in South Carolina
A partnership forms when individuals unite to launch a shared business enterprise, pooling their resources and ambitions toward a common goal. Like any close collaboration, partnerships are not immune to conflict. Disagreements over money, hiring decisions, responsibilities, or other core business matters can surface. If unresolved, such disputes may erode profits or even threaten the future of the partnership itself.
Here are just a few reasons why business partners enter into disputes:
- Breach of Contract
- Interference with a Contract
- Failure to Delineate Authority
- Unfair Workload Distribution
- Resource Use Disputes
- Real Estate Disputes
- Fraudulent Activity
- Asset Division During Dissolution
- More
Resolutions to Partnership Disputes
A well-crafted partnership agreement that clearly outlines how disputes will be handled is essential for long-term success. If you require support in drafting this type of agreement or need help navigating a current conflict, our team is prepared to guide you.
At Cobb Hammett, we recognize that partnerships often intertwine business and personal dynamics, making disagreements particularly challenging. Our lawyers offer objective legal insight, working to facilitate resolutions between partners or, when necessary, assisting with a fair and orderly dissolution.
Serving as mediators, we aim to settle partnership conflicts amicably, avoiding litigation or court involvement whenever possible and helping to restore productive working relationships. However, if mediation does not lead to a solution, we are equipped to advocate for our client's interests through the litigation process.
Complex Business Formation in South Carolina
Launching a new business or growing an established one comes with excitement and opportunity. Yet, beneath the surface, careful attention must be given to planning, particularly when it comes to choosing the right legal framework for your company. At Cobb Hammett, our business formation attorneys understand that emerging and growing enterprises benefit from experienced legal guidance. We leverage our business insights to help clients identify and implement the optimal structure for their specific goals.
A successful business starts with a structure designed to foster growth and financial stability, while also shielding owners from unnecessary risk if challenges arise. This is why working with a South Carolina business formation lawyer is so valuable—they offer strategic legal insight to safeguard your assets, reduce tax exposure, and position your business for long-term success.
Business Formation Options Explained
Gaining a clear grasp of different business entity options is essential for choosing the right path. Every business structure brings its own set of features, benefits, and drawbacks. Our team specializes in crafting customized entity solutions to align with your distinct objectives.
Sole Proprietorships
A sole proprietorship stands out for its simplicity and low startup costs — just one person owns and manages the business, with no legal separation between personal and business assets. This ease of formation makes it a popular choice for small, lowrisk ventures. However, the owner assumes full personal responsibility for any business debts or liabilities, exposing personal assets to risk as the business expands or faces challenges.
Limited Liability Partnerships
A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) lets professionals work together while protecting each partner from personal liability for others' mistakes. Partners share profits, and state laws vary, so expert legal advice is important.
Limited Liability Companies
The Limited Liability Company (LLC) stands out for combining strong personal asset protection with adaptable business operations. Members aren't usually personally responsible for company debts or legal claims, and LLCs offer a choice of tax treatments so owners can pick the setup that best fits their needs.
This flexibility and the simpler administrative requirements needed versus those at corporations make LLCs attractive to many small and medium-sized businesses. When it's time to draft an operating agreement, you should always consider working with a corporate law attorney in Drayton, SC., who can outline ownership structure, management responsibilities, and financial arrangements among members.
C Corporations
A C Corporation (C Corp) operates as an independent legal entity, distinct from its shareholders. With robust liability protection, this structure is especially attractive to businesses aiming for venture capital investment or a future public offering.
C Corps can attract significant investment by issuing stock to an unlimited number of shareholders, making them well-suited for large or publicly traded businesses. The tradeoff is double taxation: profits are taxed at the corporate level, and dividends are taxed again for individual shareholders.
Complying with a C Corp's intricate legal requirements calls for professional legal guidance. From holding board meetings and keeping detailed records to properly issuing stock, a South Carolina business attorney can help ensure all corporate formalities are met.
S Corporations
An S Corporation (S Corp) lets qualifying businesses pass profits and losses straight to owners' personal tax returns, avoiding corporate tax. This bypasses double taxation seen in C Corps, but S Corps face tight rules: no more than 100 U.S. shareholders and only one class of stock allowed. A business attorney can confirm your eligibility and handle IRS filings so your S Corp stays compliant.
Not for Profit Corporations
A not-for-profit corporation applying for 501(c)(3) status exists to serve charitable, educational, religious, or scientific causes, not to generate profit. Any extra funds are funneled back into the mission, not distributed to owners. Achieving 501(c)(3) recognition brings tax-exempt status and lets supporters claim tax-deductible donations. Setting up and maintaining a nonprofit involves complex legal steps, making experienced legal help invaluable.
The above is just a brief snapshot of how Cobb Hammett attorneys help form business entities. Some additional entities we help form include:
- Joint Ventures
- Professional Corporations (PCs)
- Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs)
- Limited Partnerships
- Business Succession Plans
Top 5 Ways Corporate Law Attorneys in Drayton, SC. Assist Business Owners After Registration
It's a common misconception that legal worries end after forming a company. In reality, this is when having a business lawyer's proactive advice becomes most crucial. A business attorney serves as a trusted advisor, steering you through South Carolina's legal maze and shielding your company from costly disputes, liabilities, and operational setbacks.
Here are just a few ways that Cobb Hammett can help you thrive after forming your business entity:
Corporate Compliance and Governance
Once your business is registered, it has to adhere to South Carolina requirements and rules. Your corporate law attorney will help:
- Draft Operating Agreements and BylawsThese documents are foundational and define the roles of shareholders, officers, and directors.
- Maintain RecordsHold meetings and notate minutes to circumvent legal concerns that may pierce your corporate veil.
- State ReportingYour business lawyer will help ensure you meet filing requirements with agencies like the South Carolina Secretary of State.
Reviewing and Drafting Contracts
Having well-drafted contracts means you have a solid bedrock of success. Your Cobb Hammett corporate law lawyer in Drayton, SC. will create and review documents such as:
- Customer and Client ContractsWe'll define payment schedules, liability limits, and scope of work.
- Supplier and Vendor AgreementsTerms should be favorable, and your obligations should be clear.
- Draft NDAsNon-disclosure agreements protect your company's competitive advantage and intellectual property.
Overseeing Dispute Resolutions and Business Litigation
In business, disputes are an unfortunate but common occurrence. From disagreements with vendors, competitors, or clients, your corporate law attorney acts as an unflinching advocate on your behalf by:
- Negotiating Business SettlementsYour lawyer will work to resolve issues effectively and out of court, whenever possible.
- Mediation and ArbitrationSometimes, using alternative resolution methods is a better way to come to a solution without going to trial.
- Litigation RepresentationIf a settlement can't be reached, your business lawyer will represent you in a court of law.
Creating Partnership and Shareholder Agreements
When a business has more than one owner, a clear agreement is essential to head off disagreements down the road. An attorney can craft a document that covers:
- Buy-Sell AgreementsDraft a fair outline of what happens when one owner wants to leave the business or can't work for the business.
- Voting Rights & OwnershipYour lawyer will clearly define every owner's stake and the limits of their decision-making power.
- Distribution of ProfitsThis document outlines how and when losses and profits are allocated to owners.
Guidance on Mergers and Acquisitions
As your business expands, opportunities to acquire other companies or merge with partners may arise. Because these deals involve intricate legal details, having an attorney's guidance is crucial to prevent expensive errors. A Cobb Hammett corporate law attorney in Drayton, SC. can help with:
- Deal StructureYour lawyer will advise you on the most effective and beneficial tax and legal structure for business transactions.
- Due DiligenceWe'll investigate target companies to reveal hidden risks and liabilities.
- Draft Negotiating AgreementsWe'll compose and review any final purchase or merger agreements necessary.
Don't see the corporate law service you need? At Cobb Hammett, we help businesses of all sizes with a wide range of other corporate law needs, including:
- Stock Offerings
- Securities
- Project Finance
- Local Counsel Opinions
- Shareholder Agreements & Disputes
- Operating Agreements
- Choice of Entity
- Debt Review & Banking Needs
- Commercial Real Estate Lease Drafting, Review, & Negotiation for Landlords or Tenants
- Real Estate Disputes
- Succession Planning
- More
Cobb Hammett: The Trusted Choice for Corporate Law Attorneys in Drayton, SC.
Business and corporate deals drive South Carolina's economy, with countless transactions taking place every day. Because corporate structure is so critical, many companies turn to seasoned South Carolina corporate attorneys for guidance and support. At Cobb Hammett, we partner with businesses to reduce risk and boost profitability. No matter your company's size or structure, our experience equips us to advise you on a wide range of legal and business matters.
We understand the importance of proper execution and air-tight contracts, and we work to ensure that these issues are addressed with your specific goals in mind. If you need to navigate complex corporate matters, we're here to help. Call our corporate law office in South Carolina today to discover the Cobb Hammett difference.
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Latest News in Drayton, SC
USC football hires Stan Drayton. 5 things to know about new RBs coach
Jackson Castellanohttps://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article313579457.html
South Carolina’s new running backs coach has officially arrived.The USC Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Stan Drayton on Thursday morning. Drayton signed a three-year contract ($775,000 annually) to join the Gamecocks coaching staff. His last coaching stop was Penn State, and he replaces previous RBs coach Marquel Blackwell, who was fired Dec. 4.Here’s everything you need to know about the new head honcho of USC’s backfield:Meet Stan DraytonDrayton, 54, is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. H...
South Carolina’s new running backs coach has officially arrived.
The USC Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Stan Drayton on Thursday morning. Drayton signed a three-year contract ($775,000 annually) to join the Gamecocks coaching staff. His last coaching stop was Penn State, and he replaces previous RBs coach Marquel Blackwell, who was fired Dec. 4.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new head honcho of USC’s backfield:
Meet Stan Drayton
Drayton, 54, is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He played running back at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania from 1989-92, was a three-time All-American and won an NCAA Division III national championship in 1990. He was once the leading rusher in Division III football history with 3,272 all-time yards.
His coaching career began in 1993 at Allegheny . He most recently was Penn State’s running back coach under head coach James Franklin in 2025. He left for USC as his position with the Nittany Lions was in flux due to Franklin’s firing and Penn State hiring Matt Campbell from Iowa State on Monday.
Coaching history
Drayton’s position at USC will be his 18th job in 33 seasons of coaching both in the NFL and NCAA. He’s mostly been a running backs coach, but has spent time as a special teams coach, wide receivers coach and more. Drayton won national championships at Florida (2006) and Ohio State (2014).
He was a head coach once in his career at Temple from 2022-24 and was fired midway through his third season after accumulating a 9-25 record.
Here’s a list of Drayton’s full coaching history:
Notable players
Drayton’s long list of stops in his career comes with an upside: He’s been around a lot of talented running backs . He’s coached seven 1,000-yard rushers, five NFL Draft picks and two All-Americans.
Here’s a rundown of the premier tailbacks Drayton has coached, when he coached them and what they accomplished under his tutelage:
Penn State impact
In Drayton’s lone season at Penn State, the Nittany Lions rushed for 2,130 total yards and 177.8 yards per game, both good for fifth-most in the Big 10. Drayton coached a 1,000-yard rusher in Allen. Backup RB Nicholas Singleton scored 13 rushing touchdowns despite rushing for only 549 yards.
Carolina connection
Drayton doesn’t have any obvious connection to the state of South Carolina or new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, but he has crossed paths with USC head coach Shane Beamer both as teammates and rivals.
The two were on staff together at Mississippi State in 2004. Beamer was the cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator from 2004-05. He later moved to Drayton’s old job as the Bulldogs’ RBs coach in 2006.
Beamer was the assistant head coach for offense and tight ends coach at Oklahoma from 2018-2020 while Drayton was at Texas. The two teams played in the Red River Rivalry game in each year the two were at the rival schools. Oklahoma went 3-0 against the Longhorns in that stretch before Beamer left Norman for the USC job in 2021.
Resume dive into new South Carolina running backs coach Stan Drayton
Kevin Millerhttps://www.on3.com/teams/south-carolina-gamecocks/news/south-carolina-football-stan-drayton-resume-dive/
On Thursday morning, South Carolina officially hired Stan Drayton as the team’s new running backs coach and assistant head coach for offense. Drayton is one of the industry’s most respected veteran running back coaches. He has spent nearly 25 years coaching college running backs and also boasts experience at the NFL level. Drayton was the head coach at Temple for three seasons, too. He arrives in Columbia following one season as the running backs coach at Penn State.Below is a look at Drayton’s overall coachin...
On Thursday morning, South Carolina officially hired Stan Drayton as the team’s new running backs coach and assistant head coach for offense.
Drayton is one of the industry’s most respected veteran running back coaches. He has spent nearly 25 years coaching college running backs and also boasts experience at the NFL level. Drayton was the head coach at Temple for three seasons, too. He arrives in Columbia following one season as the running backs coach at Penn State.
Below is a look at Drayton’s overall coaching resume.
*stats courtesy of sportsreference.com*
Allegheny/Eastern Michigan/Penn/Villanova/Bowling Green, 1993-2000
1993: Running Backs Coach (Allegheny)1994: Running Backs Coach (Eastern Michigan)1995: Running Backs Coach (Penn)1996-1999: Running Backs Coach (Villanova)2000: Running Backs Coach (Bowling Green)
1993: No available stats for 1993 Division-III Allegheny1994: 344.3 yards per game; 205.1 passing yards per game, 139.2 rushing yards per game; 22.5 points per game (Eastern Michigan)1995: No available team stats for 1995 Ivy League Penn1996: 371 yards per game; 250.4 passing yards per game, 120.6 rushing yards per game; 31.5 points per game (Villanova)1997: No available team stats for 1997 Atlantic 10 Villanova1998: No available team stats for 1998 Atlantic 10 Villanova1999: 394.6 yards per game; 281.5 passing yards per game, 113.1 rushing yards per game; 31.5 points per game (Villanova)2000: 258.6 yards per game; 160.3 passing yards per game, 98.4 rushing yards per game; 15.8 points per game (Bowling Green)
At Allegheny, Drayton coached for his alma mater, where he was an All-American running back and track and field sprinter. Then, at Eastern Michigan, he oversaw a rushing attack that saw running back Stephen Whitfield run for over 1200 yards in just 11 games.
At Penn and Villanova, stats are hard to come by, but Drayton coached under offensive coordinator Dave Clawson at ‘Nova. Clawson later went on to be the head coach at Wake Forest and led the Demon Deacons to strong offenses. Drayton also coached running back Brian Westbrook, a future Pro Bowler with the Philadelphia Eagles. Westbrook set an all-time NCAA record for all-purpose yards and became the first college player ever to record 1000 rushing yards and 1000 receiving yards in the same season in ’98.
Things didn’t go well for Bowling Green as a team in 2000; however, Drayton showed enough as a coach to get an NFL gig.
Green Bay Packers/Mississippi State/Florida, 2001-2007
2001-2003: Offensive Quality Control Coach/Special Teams Assistant (Green Bay)2004: Running Backs Coach (Mississippi State)2005-2007: Running Backs Coach (Florida)
2001: 341.4 yards per game; 235.6 passing yards per game, 105.8 rushing yards per game; 24.4 points per game (Green Bay)2002: 347.5 yards per game; 226.7 passing yards per game, 120.8 rushing yards per game; 24.9 points per game (Green Bay)2003: 362.4 yards per game; 202.5 passing yards per game, 159.9 rushing yards per game; 27.6 points per game (Green Bay)2004: 303.2 yards per game; 144.6 passing yards per game, 158.5 passing yards per game; 15.7 points per game (Mississippi State)2005: 373.4 yards per game; 226.7 passing yards per game, 146.8 rushing yards per game; 28.6 points per game (Florida)2006: 396.1 yards per game; 236.1 passing yards per game, 160 rushing yards per game; 29.7 points per game (Florida)2007: 457.2 yards per game; 257 passing yards per game, 200.2 rushing yards per game; 42.5 points per game (Florida)
Coached 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow at Florida
Drayton did not coach a position with the Green Bay Packers, at least not directly. However, he was on the offensive staff of one of the top offenses in the NFL. Running back Ahman Green also made the Pro Bowl each year Drayton was in Green Bay.
In 2004, he returned to college football and then worked alongside Shane Beamer with the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Sylvester Croom’s staff. MSU was horrendous on offense, but running back Jerious Norwood still went for over 1000 yards in Starkville.
Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer saw potential in Drayton and added him to his staff in 2005. The 2005 and 2006 offenses were good, but 2007 was elite. The Gators were the third-best overall scoring offense in the country, as quarterback Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy. Drayton was also on staff for the 2006 National Championship squad.
During his time at Florida, the Gators had a 2-1 record against the Gamecocks.
Tennessee/Syracuse/Florida, 2008-2010
2008: Running Backs Coach (Tennessee)2009: Running Backs Coach (Syracuse)2010: Running Backs Coach (Florida)
2008: 268.8 yards per game; 145.8 passing yards per game, 122.9 rushing yards per game; 17.3 points per game (Tennessee)2009: 330.4 yards per game; 203.8 passing yards per game, 126.6 rushing yards per game; 21.2 points per game (Syracuse)2010: 350.8 yards per game; 184.3 passing yards per game, 166.5 rushing yards per game; 29.8 points per game (Florida)
Drayton continued to bounce around college football. He managed to squeeze some decent ground games out of underperforming offensive rosters at Tennessee, Syracuse, and Florida.
With the Vols, he coached future NFL Pro Bowler Arian Foster. Then, at Syracuse, Delone Carter went over 1000 yards ont he year. Returning to Gainesville for Urban Meyer’s last year with the Gators, six different players rushed for at least 250 yards.
South Carolina managed to beat Drayton at both Tennessee (2008) and Florida (2010).
Ohio State/Chicago Bears, 2011-2016
2011: Wide Receivers Coach (Ohio State)2012-2014: Running Backs Coach (Ohio State)2015-2016: Running Backs Coach (Chicago Bears)
2011: 318.2 yards per game; 127 passing yards per game, 191.2 rushing yards per game; 24.5 points per game (Ohio State)2012: 423.8 yards per game; 181.5 passing yards per game, 242.3 rushing yards per game; 37.2 points per game (Ohio State)2013: 511.9 yards per game; 203.3 passing yards per game, 308.6 rushing yards per game; 45.5 points per game (Ohio State)2014: 511.6 yards per game; 247.1 passing yards per game, 264.5 rushing yards per game; 44.8 points per game (Ohio State)2015: 344.6 yards per game; 228.8 passing yards per game, 115.9 rushing yards per game; 20.9 points per game (Chicago Bears)2016: 356.5 yards per game; 248.1 passing yards per game, 108.4 rushing yards per game; 17.4 points per game (Chicago Bears)
Coached BIG Ten Running Back of the Year Carlos Hyde in 2013; Coached 2015 BIG Ten Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year in Ezekiel Elliott
A transitional year for Ohio State in 2011 resulted in a mediocre offense for the Buckeyes. However, when Urban Meyer took over in 2012, the offense was really good. Quarterback Braxton Miller and running back Carlos Hyde were among the best 1-2 rushing punches in the country during the next two seasons.
Then in 2014, Ezekiel Elliott went off for 1878 yards and 18 touchdowns under Drayton’s tutelage. Ohio State won the first College Football Playoff national title. Elliott then posted 1821 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2015, in two fewer games.
In 2013 and 2014, the Buckeyes were top five nationally in points per game. Running back Carlos Hyde was the BIG Ten’s Running Back of the Year in 2013 and set a new program record for yards per rush. He was also No. 8 nationally in rushing that year. The following season, Drayton coached Ezekiel Elliott to the No. 3 spot in the national rankings.
Another jaunt to the NFL didn’t work out exceptionally well from a team perspective. However, the Bears’ rushing attack was in the top half of the league, despite the team’s poor record. Rookie running back Jordan Howard set the NFL’s rookie record with more than 1300 yards.
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Texas, 2017-2021
2017-2021: Running Backs Coach/Run Game Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach (Texas)
2017: 398.8 yards per game; 258.8 passing yards per game, 140 rushing yards per game; 29.5 points per game (Texas)2018: 412 yards per game; 258.2 passing yards per game, 153.8 rushing yards per game; 31.1 points per game (Texas)2019: 466.5 yards per game; 289.3 passing yards per game, 177.2 rushing yards per game; 35.2 points per game (Texas)2020: 475.4 yards per game; 280.1 passing yards per game, 195.3 rushing yards per game; 42.7 points per game (Texas)2021: 424.8 yards per game; 225.4 passing yards per game, 199.4 rushing yards per game; 35.2 points per game (Texas)
Upon his return to the college game, Drayton had a successful stint with the Texas Longhorns. He recruited some excellent ballcarriers and then helped develop Bijan Robinson into a top-10 NFL Draft selection. The Longhorns had a top-10 scoring season in 2020, and Robinson was 8th nationally in rushing in 2021.
Don’t rely on search engines and social media for your Gamecock info.]
Temple/Penn State, 2022-2025
2022-2024: Head Coach (Temple)2025: Running Backs Coach (Penn State)
2022: 350.5 yards per game; 268.1 passing yards per game, 82.4 rushing yards per game; 21.9 points per game (Temple)2023: 372.3 yards per game; 276.7 passing yards per game, 95.7 rushing yards per game; 21.1 points per game (Temple)2024: 308.8 yards per game; 216 passing yards per game, 92.8 rushing yards per game; 19.6 points per game (Temple)2025: 359.1 yards per game; 181.6 passing yards per game, 177.5 rushing yards per game; 31.8 points per game (Penn State)
Drayton’s head coaching experience at Temple wasn’t inspiring, as the Owls won three games in all three of his years at the helm.
In his lone season in State College, Drayton helped Kaytron Allen become one of the best backs in the country, even though everyone knew the Nittany Lions wanted to run the ball. Allen rushed for 1303 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games, and Nicholas Singleton also added 13 scores and 549 yards.
South Carolina Football Looking to Name Penn State's Stan Drayton as the Next Running Backs Coach
Alex Joycehttps://www.si.com/college/southcarolina/south-carolina-football-looking-to-name-penn-state-s-stan-drayton-as-the-next-running-backs-coach-01kbzbf2tny4
South Carolina continues it's overhaul of the offensive staff, as Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks are targeting and looking to name Stan Drayton as the team's next running backs coach, per On3 Sports' Pete Nakos. Should Drayton accept the role he will join the staff in Columbia following the departure of Marquel Blackwell on Dec 4.This is the third running backs coach to join the program in Beamer's tenure, a list that includes Montario Hardesty (2021-2023) and Blackwell (2024-2025). Drayton has been coaching for 32 years, with 25 of t...
South Carolina continues it's overhaul of the offensive staff, as Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks are targeting and looking to name Stan Drayton as the team's next running backs coach, per On3 Sports' Pete Nakos. Should Drayton accept the role he will join the staff in Columbia following the departure of Marquel Blackwell on Dec 4.
This is the third running backs coach to join the program in Beamer's tenure, a list that includes Montario Hardesty (2021-2023) and Blackwell (2024-2025). Drayton has been coaching for 32 years, with 25 of those years teaching running backs. His stops included Penn State, Texas, Ohio State, Florida, and Mississippi State.
Bringing Championship Caliber Experience
In his early coaching tenure, Drayton was a part of two national championship squads (Florida and Ohio State). He is an excellent recruiter bringing in players like Cam Newton to Florida and Bijan Robinson to Texas. South Carolina is getting one of the best recruiters in the country along with a proven developer.
Drayton helped develop players like Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Keaontay Ingram while at Texas. This season at Penn State. Nicholas Singleton carried the ball 123 times for 549 yards and 13 touchdowns. His counterpart Kaytron Allen 210 carries for 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns.
This isn't the first time Drayton and South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer has crossed paths. Both guys were in Starkville together at Mississippi State in 2004. Drayton is the latest offensive staff hire that also included TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles to the same role on Monday, and TCU assistant offensive line coach Randy Clements as the team's new offensive line coach.
Running the ball was a struggle all year long for a Gamecocks squad that finished near the bottom of the SEC in every major statistical category. This season the team averaged 111.08 rushing yards per game (15th in the SEC), 3.24 yards per carry (last in the SEC), and 1,333 total rushing yards (15th in the SEC) despite being 10th in rushing attempts in conference (411).
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South Carolina football, Shane Beamer hire Stan Drayton as running backs coach
Lulu Kesinhttps://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/usc/2025/12/11/stan-drayton-south-carolina-football-shane-beamer-running-back-coach-penn-state/87701623007/
COLUMBIA — South Carolina's board of trustees approved the hiring of Stan Drayton as running backs coach for Shane Beamer on Dec. 11.Drayton's new contract is for three-years, worth $775,000 per year. This move comes a week after Beamer fired Marquel Blackwell after two seasons at the position.The board also approved the hiring of Kendal Briles as the new offensive coordinator and Randy Clements as offensive line coach, filling all three open positions for Beamer.Shane Beamer hires Stan Drayton as new RB coach at ...
COLUMBIA — South Carolina's board of trustees approved the hiring of Stan Drayton as running backs coach for Shane Beamer on Dec. 11.
Drayton's new contract is for three-years, worth $775,000 per year. This move comes a week after Beamer fired Marquel Blackwell after two seasons at the position.
The board also approved the hiring of Kendal Briles as the new offensive coordinator and Randy Clements as offensive line coach, filling all three open positions for Beamer.
Shane Beamer hires Stan Drayton as new RB coach at South Carolina
Drayton was with Penn State for one season after three years at Temple.
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Since 1993, he's worked at different schools as either the running back or wide receiver coach. He spent one season in the NFL from 2015-16 with the Chicago Bears before coming back to college to work at Texas in 2017.
The Nittany Lions fired coach James Franklin midway through the season and are 6-6. They'll face Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 27.
Drayton's group rushed for 2,130 yards, led by Kaytron Allen who had 1,303 yards on the ground and 15 touchdowns. Penn State's Nicholas Singleton added 13 TDs as the Nittany Lions averaged 177.5 rushing yards per game, fourth in the Big Ten.
To compare, Blackwell's group at South Carolina finished last in the SEC with 111.1 rushing yards per game and had a total of 1,333 rushing yards.
Drayton has an impressive resume as a running backs coach, having guided star running backs like Bijan Robinson (Penn State) and Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State).
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at . Follow her on X and Bluesky
Beamer Adds Two Veteran Assistants to Offensive Staff
University of South Carolina Athleticshttps://gamecocksonline.com/news/2025/12/11/beamer-adds-two-veteran-assistants-to-offensive-staff/
University of South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer has added a pair of veteran coaches in Stan Drayton and Randy Clements to his offensive staff, it was announced today. Drayton will serve as the Gamecocks’ running backs coach and assistant head coach for offense while Clements will work as the offensive line coach.STAN DRAYTONStan Drayton is a 33-year coaching veteran with 26 years of experience tutoring running backs. He has been part of two national championship coaching staffs (Florida in...
University of South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer has added a pair of veteran coaches in Stan Drayton and Randy Clements to his offensive staff, it was announced today. Drayton will serve as the Gamecocks’ running backs coach and assistant head coach for offense while Clements will work as the offensive line coach.
STAN DRAYTON
Stan Drayton is a 33-year coaching veteran with 26 years of experience tutoring running backs. He has been part of two national championship coaching staffs (Florida in 2006 and Ohio State in 2014) and has five years of NFL coaching experience. He spent the 2025 season on James Franklin’s staff at Penn State after serving as the head coach at Temple University from 2022-24.
During his career, Drayton has mentored several prominent running backs including Brian Westbrook, Jerious Norwood, Carlos Hyde, Ezekiel Elliott, Bijan Robinson, Matt Forte and Jordan Howard. He has coached seven 1,000-yard rushers, five NFL Draft picks and two All-Americans.
Drayton has extensive experience in the SEC, logging stints at Mississippi State (2004) where he worked with Coach Beamer under head coach Sylvester Croom. He also had two tours of duty at Florida under Urban Meyer (2005-07 and 2010) and spent a year at Tennessee on Phillip Fulmer’s staff (2008).
Drayton’s career has also included stops at his alma mater, Allegheny (1993), Eastern Michigan (1994), Penn (1995), Villanova (1996-99), Bowling Green (2000), Syracuse (2009), Ohio State (2010-14) and Texas (2017-21). In addition, he worked for the Green Bay Packers (2001-03) and Chicago Bears (2015-16) in the NFL.
In 2016 under Drayton, Jordan Howard set the Bears single-season rookie record with 1,313 yards, despite only having 12 carries in the team’s first three games. His total was the second-best of any player in the NFL regular season that year.
During Ohio State’s National Championship season in 2014, Drayton tutored Ezekiel Elliott, who finished third in the nation and second in single-season school history with 1,878 rushing yards. Elliott was named College Football Playoff National Championship Offensive MVP with 246 rushing yards (tied for third most in single-game school history) and four touchdowns on 36 carries against Oregon. He was also named Offensive MVP of the Sugar Bowl (230 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries) versus Alabama in the semifinals.
In 2013, Drayton helped Carlos Hyde finish eighth in the nation in rushing, averaging 126.8 yards per game.
Hyde was named the Big Ten’s Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year as his 1,521 rushing yards were eighth-most in school history and his 7.3 yards per carry was the highest single-season average in school history.
In 2006, Florida won the BCS National Championship while averaging 160 rushing yards per game.
Drayton mentored Brian Westbrook at Villanova, who became the first collegiate player on any level to record more than 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in the same season in 1998. Westbrook was a two-time All-American, the winner of the 2001 Walter Payton Award as the Offensive Player of the Year in NCAA Division I-AA, was a third-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles and became a College Football Hall of Famer.
A three-time first-team All-America selection as a running back and a two-time All-American on the track, Drayton was inducted into the Allegheny College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio and a 1993 graduate of Allegheny, Drayton and his wife, Monique, have two daughters, Amari and Anaya.
DRAYTON FILE
Born: March 11, 1971
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Married: Monique
Children: Amari, Anaya
Alma Mater: Allegheny College (1993)
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
2025: Penn State (Running Backs)
2022-2024: Temple (Head Coach)
2017-2021: Texas (Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs/Run Game Coordinator)
2015-2016: Chicago Bears (Running Backs)
2012-2014: Ohio State (Running Backs)
2011: Ohio State (Wide Receivers)
2010: Florida (Running Backs)
2009: Syracuse (Running Backs)
2008: Tennessee (Running Backs)
2005-2007: Florida (Running Backs)
2004: Mississippi State (Running Backs)
2001-2003: Green Bay Packers (Offensive Quality Control/Special Teams)
2000: Bowling Green (Running Backs)
1996-1999: Villanova (Running Backs)
1995: Penn (Running Backs)
1994: Eastern Michigan (Graduate Assistant)
1993: Allegheny (Running Backs)
RANDY CLEMENTS
Randy Clements is a 35-year coaching veteran with 23 seasons mentoring the offensive line at the college level. He comes to Columbia after a one-year stint as an assistant offensive line coach at TCU, where he was reunited with Kendal Briles.
Prior to his time at TCU, he logged collegiate stints as the offensive line coach at North Carolina (2023-24), North Texas (2021-22), Ole Miss (2020), Florida State (2019), Houston (2003-07, 2018), Southeastern (2017), Baylor (2008-16) and Stephen F. Austin (1986-87).
In his first year in Chapel Hill, three Tar Heel offensive linemen earned All-ACC honors on a team that averaged 192.1 yards rushing, ranking 19h nationally and 491.2 yards of total offense that ranked seventh in the nation. The following season, two UNC offensive linemen earned All-ACC distinction.
During the 2022 season at North Texas, the Mean Green offensive line paved the way for 201.7 rushing yards per game, ranking 24th nationally. They ranked ninth in both sacks and tackles for loss allowed, while averaging 33.9 points and 453.8 yards per game.
From 2010-2020, Clements was the offensive line coach for nine offenses that ranked in the top 13 nationally, which included three-straight at Baylor from 2013-15.
In 2020, Clements served as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Ole Miss. While in Oxford, the Rebels paced the SEC in total offense (555.5 ypg) and broke the conference record for total offense in conference play (562.4 ypg). The Rebels averaged 39.2 points and ran for 210.6 yards per game.
During the 2018 season in Houston, the Cougars averaged 43.9 points, ranking fifth in the nation, and 512.3 yards of total offense, the seventh-highest total in the FBS. Clements unit blocked for 217.1 rushing yards per game, which ranked 24th nationally.
Clements helped elevate the Baylor program to historic heights, including back-to-back Big 12 championships, behind a record-setting offense. While with the Bears, he coached linemen who earned a combined 13 All-Big 12 accolades and six All-America recognitions, including three unanimous selections. He produced the Big 12’s Offensive Lineman of the Year four-straight seasons from 2012-15 and mentored eight NFL Draft picks.
Clements began his coaching career as a student-assistant at his alma mater, Stephen. F. Austin, graduating in 1989. He then spent 12 successful seasons at Stephenville (Texas) High School, where he served as offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and head power lifting coach.
Born Sept. 10, 1966, in Wichita Falls, Texas, Clements and his wife, Polly, have two children, Jordan and Jayson.
CLEMENTS FILE
Born: September 10, 1966
Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas
Married: Polly
Children: Jordan and Jayson
Alma Mater: Stephen F. Austin (1989)
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
2025: TCU (Assistant Offensive Line)
2023-2024: North Carolina (Offensive Line)
2022: North Texas (Offensive Line)
2021: North Texas (Volunteer)
2020: Ole Miss (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line)
2019: Florida State (Offensive Line)
2018: Houston (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line)
2017: Southeastern (Offensive Line)
2012-2016: Baylor (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line)
2008-2011: Baylor (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line)
2003-2007: Houston (Offensive Line)
2000-2002: Stephenville (Texas) High School (Offensive Coordinator)
1991-2002: Stephenville (Texas) High School (Head Powerlifting Coach)
1990-1999: Stephenville (Texas) High School (Offensive Line)
1986-1987: Stephen F. Austin (Offensive Line Student Assistant)
SOUTH CAROLINA 2026 COACHING STAFF
Shane Beamer, Head Coach
Kendal Briles, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
Randy Clements, Offensive Line Coach
Joe DeCamillis, Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
Stan Drayton, Assistant Head Coach – Offense/Running Backs Coach
Shawn Elliott, Run Game Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach
Mike Furrey, Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach
Torrian Gray, Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach
Sterling Lucas, Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers Coach
Travian Robertson, Defensive Line Coach
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