Former Bulldog cadet-athlete and defensive coordinator Maurice Drayton currently serves as the head football coach at The Citadel, per an announcement from the department on Dec. 14, 2022.
“We are very excited to have Maurice back at The Citadel,” said former Director of Athletics Mike Capaccio. “We conducted a very thorough search and it was clear that Maurice was the best person for this position. He understands what it takes to be a cadet-athlete at The Citadel, and also understands what it takes to be successful on the field.”
Across three seasons at the helm, Drayton has orchestrated immense strides for the program, ending his third campaign holding claim to back-to-back Silver Shako victories following a dramatic come-from-behind win against VMI on Nov. 1. In spite of a 24-7 fourth-quarter deficit, the Bulldogs rallied with 28 unanswered points over the final 12:28, dispatching the Keydets in the 81st Miliary Classic of the South.
Additionally, eight players -- Mike Bartilucci, Chris Benton, Mikey Rosa, Cale Williams, James Platte, Cobey Thompkins, Brady Pickett & Sayre Smothers -- scored All-SoCon honors for their stellar performances on the season.Notably, Bartilucci and Platte stood out on the accolades front as the former collected the Jacobs Blocking Award via the SoCon while notching first-team All-American recognition while the latter secured distinction as FCS Punter of the Year along with third-team All-American honors.
Statistically, the Bulldogs consistently maintained pace with high-level competition, concluding the regular season ranked first within the SoCon in rushing offense (210.6) -- good for ninth nationally -- while also serving as a leader in net punting (42.53; second nationally & first in SoCon), fewest penalties per game (4.42; ninth nationally & first in SoCon) and passing yards per completion (14.68; sixth nationally & first in SoCon). The Citadel also maintain notable ball control, surrendering a new program-record 11 turnovers on the year, good for the 17th-best mark nationally and second-best in leaguewide.
Individually, James Platte secured the new career program record for punting average, wrapping up his time as a Bulldog with a 44.0 yards per kick mark. Additionally, Quentin Hayes claimed the third all-time position for single-season completion percentage behind a 63.0 display on a 58-of-92 mark for the campaign. Finally, Jihad Marks snagged the new single-game school record for receiving average, pulling down four catches for 168 yards against VMI for a 42.0 yards per catch showing.
A former standout player and defensive coordinator, Drayton returned to The Citadel after spending the previous seven seasons working in the NFL. He most recently served as the assistant special teams coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders. Drayton also acted as the special teams coordinator in Green Bay in 2021, assistant special teams coordinator for the Packers from 2018-20, and assisted with special teams for the Indianapolis Colts in 2016-17.
In his final season in Green Bay, Drayton worked with newcomer punter Corey Bojorquez, who finished with the highest gross punting average (46.5 avg.) in a season (min. 35 punts) in franchise history. He also saw K Mason Crosby set a new franchise record with a streak of 24 consecutive field goals made from 2019-2021.
Drayton’s first season with the Colts saw him guide Pat McAfee to his second Pro Bowl after leading the league with a 49.3 yard average. Additionally, he helped Adam Vinatieri register his 19th and 20th 100-point seasons, extending his NFL record.
“I want to thank Gen. Walters, Mike Capaccio and the entire committee for giving me this opportunity. I made the decision several years ago to take the road less traveled, and it allowed me to meet people that have remained loyal.
“I believe in the divine power of God and that has moved in the minds of those who extended the invitation to return home. For me and my family, Moncks Corner, Charleston and The Citadel will always be home. I am prepared to assist in taking our school to the next level.”
Drayton served as The Citadel’s defensive coordinator from 2014-15, helping the Bulldogs to the 2015 Southern Conference Championship. The 2015 defense led the conference with 31 takeaways, 11 fumble recoveries, 10 passing TDs allowed and a 36.5 opponent third-down conversion percentage. The defense also ranked third in the FCS with 20 interceptions, including five returned for touchdowns.
All-in-all, Drayton spent 14 seasons at The Citadel as a player or coach prior to taking over the helm as head coach ahead of the 2023 campaign. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1998 and his master’s in education in 2007.
As a player, Drayton was a two-year starter at cornerback and finished his career with 145 tackles, 17 pass break-ups and three interceptions.
After completing his eligibility in 1998, Drayton spent the next seven seasons as a member of the Bulldog coaching staff. He began as a graduate assistant/secondary coach, before spending the 2000 season coaching the tackles/tight ends. He also worked with the wide receivers (2001) and outside linebackers (2002), before spending the 2003-05 seasons coaching the secondary, special teams and serving as the recruiting coordinator.
Drayton spent the 2006 season as the defensive coordinator for the Seinajoki (Finland) Crocodiles of the European Football League. He spent 2007 as an assistant principal and assistant coach at Goose Creek High School.
Drayton joined the staff at South Carolina State in 2008, coaching the defensive backs and special teams. In his two seasons in Orangeburg, Drayton helped SCSU capture a pair of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles.
Drayton spent the 2010-11 seasons as the assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach at Coastal Carolina.
He would serve as the secondary coach for former Bulldog head coach Ellis Johnson at Southern Miss in 2012 before working with the defense and special teams with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2013.
A native of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Drayton and his wife are the proud parents of two children.
Coaching Career
2023 The Citadel Head Coach
2022 Las Vegas Raiders Assistant Special Teams
2021 Green Bay Packers Special Teams Coordinator
2018-20 Green Bay Packers Assistant Special Teams
2016-17 Indianapolis Colts Assistant Special Teams
2014-15 The Citadel Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks
2013 Montreal Alouettes Guest Coach
2012 Southern Mississippi Secondary
2010-11 Coastal Carolina Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams/Wide Receivers
2008-09 South Carolina State Special Teams/Defensive Backs
2007 Goose Creek High School Assistant Coach
2006 Seinajoki Crocodiles Defensive Coordinator
2003-05 The Citadel Special Teams/Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator
2002 The Citadel Outside Linebackers
2001 The Citadel Wide Receivers
2000 The Citadel Tight Ends/Tackles
1999 The Citadel Graduate Assistant/Secondary
