It’s official: Former Florida running backs coach Stan Drayton will be the new wide receivers coach for the Ohio State football team, coach Jim Tressel announced today.

“Stan Drayton, first and foremost, is a fine person and a family man,” Tressel said in a press release. “We are fortunate to gain one of the finest coaches in America to serve our kids, school and community.”

Drayton will bring with him 14 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, including time at the University of Pennsylvania, Syracuse, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Villanova, Allegheny, Mississippi State and Tennessee. The Cleveland native also coached the Gators’ running backs during the team’s 41-14 victory against the Buckeyes in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.

Until today, spokespeople from OSU would not confirm reports that Drayton was leaving his post as the Gators’ running backs coach and recruiting coordinator.

Steve McClain, associate athletics director for communications at Florida, said the Gator staff wouldn’t be left shorthanded.

“Yeah, I’d say that our coaching staff is intact at this time,” McClain told The Lantern on Wednesday.

Tressel said Drayton will be a good addition to the Buckeyes’ football staff.

“He is a Buckeye born and bred,” Tressel said of the Cleveland-born Allegheny graduate, “and will add a tremendous dimension to our football family.”

 

Ally Kraemer contributed to this story.