If there were one universal truth it would be that every family is different. We all have our own set of challenges to face and changes to go through. Sometimes those changes are happy like when a new baby is born. Other times these changes involve uncertainty and loss like in the event of a divorce.
If you are having to go through the pain of divorce deal with a complicated custody issue or are handling a different family-related legal matter you might need help. At Cobb Hammett LLC we understand that family issues are hard. Many of the family law clients that we work for have big questions about the future leaving them over-stressed and full of worry. They are concerned about their children their marriage or both. They are wrestling with uncertainty and anxiety having been served confusing documents that don't make sense. Sound familiar? A family law attorney in Drayton, SC can help whether you need a level-headed moderator or a trusted advocate in the courtroom.
At Cobb Hammett LLC we have decades of combined experience serving the needs of families from divorce proceedings to family formation issues. Our team is fiercely committed to our clients and with a dedicated focus stays up-to-date on the nuanced world of family law in Drayton. If you're looking for personal attention unbiased representation and a responsive family law attorney look no further than our law firm.
If you're unsure of whether you need a family law lawyers in Drayton, SC ask yourself these questions:
If you answered yes to any of the questions above know that we are here to help you figure out your next steps. With Cobb Hammett Law Firm by your side you can have the confidence to face even the most difficult family law issues. All of our attorneys have years of experience are incredibly responsive and fight for your family's rights. We are happy to take as much time as you need to answer questions and help put your mind at ease for whatever lies ahead.
Our firm specializes in a wide range of family law cases including:
If you have been left to manage a foreign family law situation it's time to call Cobb Hammett LLC. We will sit down with you for an hour at absolutely no cost - because we understand what you're going through and know that you need answers not another bill to pay.
To help provide you with a basic understanding of family law keep reading for in-depth explanations on our areas of expertise.
At Cobb Hammett LLC we know all-too-well that a one size fits all approach isn't going to work very well for your unique situation. That's why we approach each divorce case from a personalized standpoint - something that we feel like each of our clients deserves.
Our goal is to help solve your family law issues and focus on your needs when your divorce is finalized. We will help develop a strategy for:
By working together our divorce law firm will help you rebuild your life and secure a better future for your family.
Unlike divorce law in other states South Carolina divorce law doesn't allow spouses to receive an instant no-fault divorce. One or both spouses in the marriage must establish a legally acceptable reason for a divorce to happen. Grounds for a divorce in Drayton, SC include:
If you or your spouse do not have the necessary grounds for divorce in Drayton, SC our family law firm can file a Separate Maintenance and Support action. This step lets the court order child custody alimony and marital bills until you can file for your divorce. During this period Cobb Hammett LLC gathers pertinent info on your spouse's character and assets that can strengthen your case should it be necessary.
A divorce in Drayton, SC means more than the end of a marriage. It involves dividing the parties debts and assets determines child support and custody parameters and can establish alimony. At Cobb Hammett LLC many of our clients are able to reach agreements with their spouse to resolve these issues. Reaching an agreement lets both parties customize the terms of their divorce to conserve resources avoid trial and meet the family's needs.
Sometimes however two spouses cannot or will not come to terms with an agreement. In these situations a trial is possible and litigation is necessary. Our family law attorneys in Drayton, SC. are highly experienced litigators and are well-equipped to handle any disputes revealed in the conference or courtroom.
Common divorce issues include:
One of the most heart-wrenching difficult decisions for parents going through a divorce is resolving child custody and visitation issues. Child custody refers to how much time each parent will spend with their child and whether they can make decisions for them. According to South Carolina law child custody and visitation time are based on what is best for the child.
Like other U.S states a formula is used in South Carolina to determine how much child support a person must pay. This formula recommends the amount of child support based on factors like how much income the parents make the cost of childcare and the obligation to support children from other relationships.
In South Carolina there is no formula to determine how much alimony a person must pay. However courts consider several factors when deciding if alimony is needed how much alimony should be paid and how long a spouse must pay it. Those factors include each spouse's ability and need to pay alimony how long the marriage lasted and any marital misconduct that occurred. To make matters more confusing there are different alimony types including lump sum rehabilitative and reimbursement.
In South Carolina marital property is the property that each spouse amasses from the date of the wedding to the time a spouse files for divorce. That property can often include marital debt. In a South Carolina divorce the courts will order an equitable division of property meaning fair under all circumstances but not necessarily equal.
Many of the family law clients that walk into our office have big questions that are leaving them full of stress and worry.
As mentioned above decisions that involve child custody and visitation can be contentious for parents both emotionally and legally. As experienced empathetic divorce lawyers we understand how difficult this process can be. When we work with clients going through child custody battles we always make it a point to be with them through the ups and downs to help them stay centered. Whether you are the husband or wife in your divorce we share a common goal: finding an effective way to support your children and assure their wellbeing.
In South Carolina child custody is a loaded term. In the most general definition child custody determines when each parent is responsible for the physical care of the child and how much authority each parent has to make decisions in their child's life.
No two child custody cases are the same but a negotiated custody arrangement is usually preferred in the judge's eyes as each parent has input in the process. If the parents cannot come to an amicable resolution their fate is left in the hands of a Family Court Judge in South Carolina. The focus of child custody law is always on what is in the best interests of the child. What the judge determines to be the best interests changes depending on the judge.
There are different variations of custody in South Carolina (or custody arrangements) each with varying degrees of authority. When you consult with our family law attorneys at Cobb Hammett LLC we will go over the child custody process in detail and touch on each distinction to eliminate any confusion you have.
When children are involved in divorce cases child support is often ordered. Several factors can impact whether child support is ordered like the income-earning potential of the child's parents any custody arrangements that are created and what needs the child may have.
At Cobb Hammett LLC we have years of experience with child support issues relating to:
When you trust our family law firm in Drayton, SC for representation we can help calculate an estimate of how much child support you or your spouse may be ordered to pay. We can also perform a needs-based analysis in cases that involve large amounts of income. At the end of the day our goal is to make this frustrating process as stress-free as possible for you so that you can focus on living life and caring for your child.
Alimony (sometimes called spousal support or maintenance) is ordered by the court or negotiated between parties. This kind of spousal support has many factors like the income of both spouses how long they were married and the age of each spouse. Like child custody and child support trusted legal guidance is strongly recommended if you are facing potential alimony payments. Our family law attorneys will help you reach amicable arrangements for fair and appropriate alimony payments.
At Cobb Hammett LLC your family law attorney in Drayton, SC will help protect your interests and rights regarding:
When there are no children marital property or issues of alimony divorces often proceed smoothly between amicable spouses. However most divorces in South Carolina are much more complex. Typically divorce involves a union between spouses that lasts for years and involves substantial marital property. This property can be personal property real estate family businesses debts out-of-state property debts bank accounts and more.
In these nuanced situations the applicable parties need assistance dividing their property. This help most often comes from seasoned family law attorneys like Cobb Hammett LLC.
When it comes to distribution of property certain types of properties that are controversial even under the property division rules in South Carolina. South Carolina is an equitable distribution state meaning that marital property is divided equitably but not always equally.
If you are going through a divorce it's important that you are aware of the following assets and the common issues their division presents:
Generally pensions are the second-largest asset in a marriage. When there are sufficient alternative income sources to compensate the non-pension holder South Carolina divorce courts may leave the pension rights with the spouse who earned it with future distribution available. Otherwise a divorce court may enter a Qualified Domestic Relations Order requiring the pension administrator to pay both the former spouse and worker.:
The family home or the primary residential property owned by the divorcing couple is usually considered a marriage's biggest asset. Dividing this kind of property can be complex and frustrating especially when there are kids involved.
Many divorcing couples have a hard time reaching an agreement on property division. Because the division of property depends on the complexity of you or your spouse's assets and liabilities it is crucial to consult with an experienced family law attorney to provide guidance.
Divorces are rarely easy to handle. If your spouse is pulling the trigger on divorcing you we understand that your life may seem like it's in shambles. However with time and a team of trusted family law experts by your side there is light at the end of the tunnel. Together we can work through this while protecting your rights and assuring your children's stability.
If divorce seems inevitable time is of the essence. Call our family law offices in Drayton, SC today for your legal consultation so that we can get a sense of your unique circumstances.
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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*
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.
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.
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).
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.
ALSO SEE:
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.]
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 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.
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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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.
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
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