New assistant Stan Drayton shares vision to continue legacy of great Penn State running backs

Stan Drayton is inheriting one of the top backfields in the country as he takes over the task of coaching the Penn State football running backs room. With Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen both back for their senior seasons, Drayton is looking to maintain the Nittany Lions’ elite rushing attack from last fall.

But objective No. 1 for the newest addition to the Penn State football staff is getting hands-on with his position room. From there, he can tailor his coaching style for each Nittany Lion running back.

“It’s based on where they are in their development, quite honestly,” Drayton said in an in-house interview last week when asked about his approach as a coach. “It’s custom fit for every individual.

“First things first for me is I have to earn their trust, and they have to earn mine. That’s with every one of those backs in that room, from top to bottom. In order for me to get them where they’re trying to go, and help them to reach the potential that they’re capable of, there has to be a certain level of trust and respect there. And that’s earned.”

Drayton looking to Penn State veterans to continue legacy of success

Penn State football running backs Nicholas Singleton (10) and Kaytron Allen (13). © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Drayton shouldn’t have much to figure out at the top of the unit, with Singleton and Allen each coming off the most successful seasons of their Penn State football careers. But he is looking to the standout seniors to be leaders for the younger Nittany Lions in the room.

“It’s critically important [for older players to be leaders],” he said. “They’re leaving back a legacy. Those guys have to follow what they leave behind. And if there’s a crack in their foundation, they may create a mindset of a younger player that’s inseparable. And that can’t be, especially at a place like Penn State.

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“There’s been a legacy of great backs. I think we are following that legacy as we continue on today. It’s important that our younger guys understand that it is bigger than them, and they are leaving back something that has to be picked up and inherited by their teammates.”

We should learn more about Drayton’s vision for the Nittany Lions running back room over the next 24 hours. The former Temple head coach will be officially introduced as the next Penn State running backs coach with a press conference on Monday afternoon.

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