Ex-Temple head coach emerges as frontrunner for Penn State assistant opening

As the search for a new running backs coach nears the end of its first full week, James Franklin and Penn State football appear to have their gaze set east toward the former head coach of an in-state rival.

John Brice of FootballScoop reports Thursday that ex-Owls coach Stan Drayton has emerged as the “top target” for the Nittany Lions. Drayton has been a logical candidate since the role became available last weekend, relieved of his duties in Philadelphia last November.

NEWS: Former Temple HC Stan Drayton, former star RB coach for #Vols, Ohio State & Florida, has emerged as top candidate in Penn State's search to replace Ja'Juan Seider, hired away by Notre Dame with a deal sources tell @footballscoop is worth 7 figures: https://t.co/3Sw7W6abga

— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) February 13, 2025

Although Drayton went an underwhelming 9-25 during his three-year stint at Temple, the Cleveland, Ohio, native is one of the most well-regarded position coaches in the country. During his 31-year career that has taken him to almost every power conference, Drayton has coached stars like Bijan Robinson (Texas), Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State), and Brian Westbrook (Villanova). He also has five years of experience at the NFL level.

Looking for a way to stay up-to-date with all the most important news surrounding Penn State football and Nittany Lion athletics? Follow us on social media and subscribe to our free newsletter for live news and insights sent directly to your feed!

If a deal is finalized, Drayton would replace long-time Penn State football assistant Ja’Juan Seider, who left Happy Valley for Notre Dame earlier this week. Brice reports that the Fighting Irish offered Seider a multi-year contract worth seven figures annually to come to South Bend.

Bringing in Drayton would also be another high-profile hire for James Franklin this offseason. In January, Penn State football hired Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to replace Tom Allen. The Nittany Lions made Knowles the highest-paid coordinator in the sport at $3.1 million annually.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation, one of the fastest-growing outlets covering Penn State athletics. Part of the Full Ride network, we are an alumni-owned and operated, credentialed media outlet dedicated to providing you with updated and reliable insights for all your favorite Nittany Lion sports. Whether it’s Penn State football, basketball, wrestling, or anything in between, you can find it all on Basic Blues Nation!

Please follow us on our social channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our newsletter on Substack for breaking news and notifications. For feedback, questions, or concerns, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on social media.