Stepp Promoted to Offensive Coordinator

McKnight Elevated to Passing Game Coordinator

Josh Stepp, who has helped coach Georgia State's record-setting offenses the last three seasons, has been promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for 2022, head coach Shawn Elliott announced.

Trent McKnight, the Panthers' receivers coach the last five years, has been elevated to passing game coordinator and receivers coach. Additionally, Eman Naghavi will move to running backs and special teams coach, and Dan Ellington will take over as tight ends coach.

Stepp, one of Elliott's original hires in 2017, has primarily coached the Panthers' highly productive tight ends but has also worked with running backs and served as recruiting coordinator. He has helped the GSU offense produce the top three scoring figures in program history and three of the top four total offense marks over the last three years. During that time, the Panthers have set school records for scoring (33.3 ppg in 2020), touchdowns (53 in 2019), total offense (439.8 ypg in 2019) and rushing offense (241.6 ypg). In 2021, Georgia State ranked No. 8 in FBS in rushing at 226.4 yards per game, the second-best mark in school history.

His primary tight ends, Roger Carter and Aubry Payne, have combined for five all-conference awards and have been important cogs in the Panthers' strong running attack that has averaged 223 yards per game over the last three seasons.

"Coach Stepp is an outstanding coach who has certainly earned this opportunity to be our offensive coordinator," Elliott said. "We've established a strong identity on offense that we look to continue, and we can't wait to get back on the practice field for another exciting and productive season."

Another original member of Elliott's staff, McKnight has also been a key figure on the Panthers' staff during the current run of winning seasons and bowl berths in three straight years and four of the last five. The nominee for the 2020 Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach has tutored six All-Sun Belt receivers in his five seasons at GSU and three of the top five pass catchers in program history, including current Seattle Seahawks receiver Penny Hart.

Ellington, the former standout quarterback at GSU, takes over the tight end position after working with running backs the last two seasons. His All-Sun Belt duo of Tucker Gregg and Jamyest Williams combined for more than 1,800 yards in 2021, with Williams setting a school record with 6.7 yards per carry.

Naghavi joined the GSU staff in 2021 as offensive line coach, a unit that produced three All-Sun Belt linemen in 2021, including five-time selection Shamarious Gilmore.

The GSU offense returns starting quarterback Darren Grainger, Williams and Gregg at running back, leading receiver Jamari Thrash and four starters on the offensive line from last year's squad that won seven of the last eight games, including the TaxAct Camellia Bowl.

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Players Mentioned

#45 Roger Carter: TE; 6' 2"; Junior

#13 Dan Ellington: QB; 6' 3"; Senior

#75 Shamarious Gilmore: G; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#26 Tucker Gregg: RB; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#88 Aubry Payne: TE; 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior

#2 Jamari Thrash: WR; 6' 0"; Freshman

#21 Jamyest Williams: RB; 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior

#3 Darren Grainger: QB; 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#45 Roger Carter
: 6' 2"; Junior
: TE

#13 Dan Ellington
: 6' 3"; Senior
: QB

#75 Shamarious Gilmore
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: G

#26 Tucker Gregg
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: RB

#88 Aubry Payne
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior
: TE

#2 Jamari Thrash
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: WR

#21 Jamyest Williams
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior
: RB

#3 Darren Grainger
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior
: QB