Former Bulldog player and defensive coordinator Maurice Drayton has been named the next football coach at The Citadel. The announcement was made by Athletics director Mike Capaccio on Tuesday.
“I am very excited to have Maurice back at The Citadel,” Capaccio said. “We did a very thorough investigation and it was clear that Maurice was the perfect person for the position. I understand what it takes to do that.”
A former standout player and defensive coordinator, Drayton returns to The Citadel after spending the last seven seasons in the NFL. Most recently, he was the coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders’ assistant specials team. Drayton also served as Special Teams He Coordinator for the Green Bay in 2021, Assistant Special Teams He Coordinator for the Packers in 2018-20, and Special Teams He Coordinator for the Colts in 2016-17 at Indianapolis.
In his final season at Green Bay, Drayton worked with rookie P Corey Bojorquez. He finished the season with the highest total punt average in franchise history (46.5 average) (minimum 35 punts). He also saw K Mason Crosby set a new franchise record with his 24 consecutive fielding goals from his 2019-2021.
Drayton’s first season with the Colts led Pat McAfee to his second Pro Bowl after leading the league with 49.3 yards averaged. Additionally, he helped his Adam Vinatieri register his 19-year-old.th and 20th He broke an NFL record for scoring 100 points in a season.
“I want to thank General Walters, Mike Capaccio and the entire committee for giving me this opportunity.
“I believe in the divine power of God, and it was in the hearts of those who extended the invitation to come home. For me and my family, Monks Corner, Charleston and The Citadel have always been It’s a home, ready to help take our school to the next level.”
Drayton was The Citadel’s defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2015, supporting the Bulldogs in the 2015 Southern Conference Championship. The 2015 defense led the conference with 31 takeaways, 11 fumbles his recoveries, 10 pass TDs allowed, and his conversion rate of 36.5 opponent third downs. The defense also ranked third in the FCS with 20 interceptions, including five returned for touchdowns.
Overall, Drayton has spent 14 seasons as a player or coach at The Citadel. He received his BA in Physical Education in 1998 and his MA in Education in 2007.
As a player, Drayton started at cornerback for two years and finished his career with 145 tackles, 17 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions.
After qualifying in 1998, Drayton spent the next seven seasons as part of the Bulldogs’ coaching staff. He started as alumni assistant/secondary coach before spending 2000 his season as tackle/tight his ends coach. He also worked as a wide receiver (2001) and outside linebacker (2002) before spending the 2003-05 season as his team’s coaching and recruiting coordinator for secondary, specials.
Drayton spent the 2006 season as defensive coordinator for the Seinajoki (Finland) Crocodiles of the European Football League. In 2007 he served as Assistant Principal and Assistant Coach of Goose Creek High School.
Drayton joined the South Carolina State University staff in 2008 as a defensive back and special teams coach. In his two seasons at Orangeburg, Drayton helped his SCSU win his two titles in the Middle East Athletic Conference (MEAC).
Drayton spent the 2010-11 season with the Coastal Carolina as assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach.
He was secondary coach to former Bulldogs head coach Ellis Johnson in 2012 with the Southern Misses before working on the defense and special teams for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2013.
Hailing from Monks Corner, South Carolina, Drayton and his wife are proud parents of two children.
For more information on Drayton’s coaching career, click here.