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Gators Assistant Takes Tennessee Job

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By Jenna Marina, Tribune correspondent

Published: January 8, 2008

GAINESVILLE - Former University of Florida running backs coach Stan Drayton, a heavy recruiter in Tampa for the Gators, made a lateral move to the University of Tennessee on Sunday.

Drayton said he waited until today to make the news official so he could relay the news to his players at UF, but he will be headed to Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday.

Drayton will replace Kurt Roper, who left Tennessee in December with former offensive coordinator David Cutliff when he accepted Duke's head coaching position. Drayton said he felt Tennessee was the right move because the running back position is featured more prominently.

UF coach Urban Meyer was not made available for comment today, so Drayton's replacement is still unknown.

Meyer met with Drayton on Jan. 2, and the two decided that it was time for a fresh start at the running backs coaching position, though Drayton pointed out that he was not fired.

Drayton said his interest grew with the Volunteers after he spoke with Tennessee assistant athletic director Bruce Warwick. Drayton and Warwick worked together in 2001-03 with the Green Bay Packers.

''I was excited about coaching Emmanuel Moody and Chris Rainey and Kestahn Moore, but some opportunities just fell in my lap and that made me reevaluate my situation,'' Drayton said. ''I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to explore a system where I could continue to grow as a position coach and help my longtime goal in becoming an offensive coordinator or head coach someday.''

Drayton was the lowest paid of Florida's nine assistant coaches this season at $135,000, and he was one of only two coaches making less than $170,000. Assistant offensive line and tight ends coach John Hevesy made $140,000 this season.

Drayton was named one of Rivals.com's top-25 recruiters in 2007 for his role in Florida's No. 1 recruiting class. He secured players like Armwood graduate and defensive tackle Torrey Davis, backup quarterback Cameron Newton and running back Rainey.

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