Temple University Athletics

Photo by: Zamani Feelings
What They Are Saying About Stan Drayton
12.20.21 | Football
Stan Drayton, who has won college national championships and coached at the NFL level during his 28-year career, returned to Philadelphia as the 29th head football coach of Temple University on December 15, 2021. Here are quotes from some people who have crossed paths with him.Â
"Temple has made a tremendous choice in hiring Stan Drayton to be their next football coach at Temple University. Stan not only has the coaching credentials and pedigree necessary to succeed but as importantly understands how vital it is to recruit, retain and cultivate the talented student athletes from Philadelphia and its suburbs."
                                – Columbia head coach Al Bagnoli (Penn, 1995)
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"Coach Drayton played a pivotal role in my development, not only as an athlete but also as a young man. He pushed me every day and demanded excellence from me in the classroom, on the field, and in everyday life. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do the same for every young man at Temple University. Congratulations Coach Drayton."
                                – Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State 2013-15)
 "He was very instrumental in my development as a player. Coming in as a rookie, I got thrown into the fire very fast. Next thing I know, I went from a third stringer to a starter, so he got me ready. I had a great season, I went to the Pro Bowl my rookie year, had 1,300 yards. He's a fine coach to play for. He's going to get after you, but he cares deeply about his players, so he has everybody's best interests in mind."
                                – Pro Bowl running back Jordan Howard (Chicago Bears 2016)
"Congratulations to Coach Drayton and to Temple University on a fantastic hire. In Stan, the Owls are getting a great leader of men and of their program. He is high-energy, smart, and really knows the recruiting ranks, which is the name of the game in college football. I look forward to watching Stan succeed leading the Temple football program for years to come."
                                    – NFL head coach John Fox (Chicago Bears 2015-16)
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"Stan Drayton has been a rising star in our profession for many years. In my seven years working with him I have found him to be one of the best leaders I have ever been around. It was obvious early in our time together that he was destined to be a great head coach. Temple University will be proud to have him, Monique, and their beautiful daughters as part of their university's family. I'm sure he will bring a tremendous amount of energy, positivity and success to the Owl Football program."
                                    – Tom Herman (Ohio State 2012-14, Texas 2017-20)
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"Coach Drayton is dedicated, motivated and passionate about football and leading young men. He'll be a mentor as well as a great teacher to all the men he coaches."
                                    – Super Bowl winning head coach Doug Pederson (Green Bay Packers 2001-03)
"Stan was an excellent football player; I'm not sure how many records he set at Allegheny. He was a hard worker and he was humble. What sticks out to me is what a great teammate he was. He had great leadership qualities and he truly cared about his teammates. He was very competitive and brought that out in others. He also played with a great deal of joy. It was easy to see how much football meant to him. What a home run hire for Temple University. Temple is getting not only an outstanding football coach, but also an exceptional person. He's a great family man and will create a culture that will help build a program that will make everyone at Temple proud."
                                    – NFL head coach Joe Philbin (Allegheny, 1990-93)
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"So happy for this dude right here! It's been a helluva two years with you coach and God put you in my life for a reason to grow as a player and man of faith. I love you man and Temple got the best coach out there. You deserve the world, and they deserve you."
                                    – Running back Bijan Robinson (Texas, 2020-21)
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"I'm super excited for Stan, he's worked extremely hard for an opportunity like this and he'll do an awesome job at Temple. He is a great coach; he's a really good leader of men and I think you see his coaching style in the way our running backs play. They play hard, they play tough, they play smart, and that's what he really instills in them on the football field. He also cares deeply about their personal development and has a huge impact on them off the field. I think he helps young men mature to become well-rounded men who do great things as players, in the campus community and as citizens in society. So, he will be missed here at Texas on a number of fronts, as a football coach, a mentor, and as a tremendous member of our staff. I wish Stan the very best and couldn't be more excited for him and his family – they're wonderful people."
                                    – NFL and college coach Steve Sarkisian (Texas, 2021)
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"Stan Drayton has the perfect skill set for the head coaching job at Temple. He is one of the best recruiters in the country. His expertise at Florida and Ohio State brought them national championships. He has been involved with national champions and will bring coaching excellence to Temple. He is truly a man for all seasons. His leadership skills will be his trademark."
                                    – College Football Hall of Fame coach Andy Talley (Villanova 1996-99)
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"I can't say enough Great things about Stan Drayton! He saw thru my injuries and brought me to Villanova, he helped me become the player and more importantly the man that I became!! I can't wait to see him transform this program!!"
                                    – Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer Brian Westbrook (Villanova, 1998-99)
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"Temple has made a tremendous choice in hiring Stan Drayton to be their next football coach at Temple University. Stan not only has the coaching credentials and pedigree necessary to succeed but as importantly understands how vital it is to recruit, retain and cultivate the talented student athletes from Philadelphia and its suburbs."
                                – Columbia head coach Al Bagnoli (Penn, 1995)
Â
"Coach Drayton played a pivotal role in my development, not only as an athlete but also as a young man. He pushed me every day and demanded excellence from me in the classroom, on the field, and in everyday life. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do the same for every young man at Temple University. Congratulations Coach Drayton."
                                – Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State 2013-15)
 "He was very instrumental in my development as a player. Coming in as a rookie, I got thrown into the fire very fast. Next thing I know, I went from a third stringer to a starter, so he got me ready. I had a great season, I went to the Pro Bowl my rookie year, had 1,300 yards. He's a fine coach to play for. He's going to get after you, but he cares deeply about his players, so he has everybody's best interests in mind."
                                – Pro Bowl running back Jordan Howard (Chicago Bears 2016)
"Congratulations to Coach Drayton and to Temple University on a fantastic hire. In Stan, the Owls are getting a great leader of men and of their program. He is high-energy, smart, and really knows the recruiting ranks, which is the name of the game in college football. I look forward to watching Stan succeed leading the Temple football program for years to come."
                                    – NFL head coach John Fox (Chicago Bears 2015-16)
Â
"Stan Drayton has been a rising star in our profession for many years. In my seven years working with him I have found him to be one of the best leaders I have ever been around. It was obvious early in our time together that he was destined to be a great head coach. Temple University will be proud to have him, Monique, and their beautiful daughters as part of their university's family. I'm sure he will bring a tremendous amount of energy, positivity and success to the Owl Football program."
                                    – Tom Herman (Ohio State 2012-14, Texas 2017-20)
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"Coach Drayton is dedicated, motivated and passionate about football and leading young men. He'll be a mentor as well as a great teacher to all the men he coaches."
                                    – Super Bowl winning head coach Doug Pederson (Green Bay Packers 2001-03)
"Stan was an excellent football player; I'm not sure how many records he set at Allegheny. He was a hard worker and he was humble. What sticks out to me is what a great teammate he was. He had great leadership qualities and he truly cared about his teammates. He was very competitive and brought that out in others. He also played with a great deal of joy. It was easy to see how much football meant to him. What a home run hire for Temple University. Temple is getting not only an outstanding football coach, but also an exceptional person. He's a great family man and will create a culture that will help build a program that will make everyone at Temple proud."
                                    – NFL head coach Joe Philbin (Allegheny, 1990-93)
Â
"So happy for this dude right here! It's been a helluva two years with you coach and God put you in my life for a reason to grow as a player and man of faith. I love you man and Temple got the best coach out there. You deserve the world, and they deserve you."
                                    – Running back Bijan Robinson (Texas, 2020-21)
Â
"I'm super excited for Stan, he's worked extremely hard for an opportunity like this and he'll do an awesome job at Temple. He is a great coach; he's a really good leader of men and I think you see his coaching style in the way our running backs play. They play hard, they play tough, they play smart, and that's what he really instills in them on the football field. He also cares deeply about their personal development and has a huge impact on them off the field. I think he helps young men mature to become well-rounded men who do great things as players, in the campus community and as citizens in society. So, he will be missed here at Texas on a number of fronts, as a football coach, a mentor, and as a tremendous member of our staff. I wish Stan the very best and couldn't be more excited for him and his family – they're wonderful people."
                                    – NFL and college coach Steve Sarkisian (Texas, 2021)
Â
"Stan Drayton has the perfect skill set for the head coaching job at Temple. He is one of the best recruiters in the country. His expertise at Florida and Ohio State brought them national championships. He has been involved with national champions and will bring coaching excellence to Temple. He is truly a man for all seasons. His leadership skills will be his trademark."
                                    – College Football Hall of Fame coach Andy Talley (Villanova 1996-99)
Â
"I can't say enough Great things about Stan Drayton! He saw thru my injuries and brought me to Villanova, he helped me become the player and more importantly the man that I became!! I can't wait to see him transform this program!!"
                                    – Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer Brian Westbrook (Villanova, 1998-99)
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