Now in his second season at Georgia State, Eman Naghavi will coach the Panther running backs and specials team in 2022.
Naghavi (pronounced ee-MAHN nuh-GAH-vee) coached the GSU offensive line in 2021, including three All-Sun Belt Conference linemen in guards Shamarious Gilmore and Pat Bartlett and center Malik Sumter. That offensive line blocked for the No. 8 rushing offense in FBS as the Panthers averaged 226.4 yards per game on the ground while earning their third straight winning season and bowl berth.
Formerly the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at ULM, Naghavi came to the Georgia State staff in March 2021. He had accepted a position as an offensive analyst at Texas before coming to GSU.
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Naghavi produced prolific offenses in four seasons at ULM. For three straight years (2017-19), the Warhawks ranked in the top four in the Sun Belt in total offense and passing offense while the offensive line was third in the league in fewest sacks allowed each of those years. His 2017 unit was No. 2 in the conference and among the Top 25 in FBS in scoring, passing and total offense, including a school-record four 50-point games, all against Sun Belt foes.
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Naghavi went to ULM in 2017 following a two-year stint as the offensive line coach at McNeese State, his alma mater. In 2015, he tutored three all-conference linemen, including one All-American, while 2016, he also served as recruiting coordinator.
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That was Naghavi's second tour at McNeese after coaching the Cowboys' offensive tackles and tight ends in 2011-12. In both of those seasons, McNeese ranked second in the Southland Conference in rushing offense, and he helped mentor four all-conference linemen.
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In between, the Katy, Texas native spent two seasons as an offensive line assistant at Texas under Mack Brown (2013) and Charlie Strong (2014). During his tenure with the Longhorns, he helped develop All-Big 12 linemen Trey Hopkins (first team) and Donald Hawkins (second team) in 2013 while also working with the tight ends.
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Naghavi was a three-time all-conference offensive lineman at McNeese from 2005-08, where he helped lead the Cowboys to an undefeated regular season and Southland Conference title in 2007.
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He named a 2008 FCS All-American by the Associated Press and the Sports Network. In addition, he earned all-Louisiana honors in 2008 and was a two-time SLC All-Academic selection (2007-08).
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During his four years on the offensive line, McNeese led the league in rushing offense twice (2007-08), total offense twice (2007-08) and scoring offense three times (2006-08).
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Naghavi earned his bachelor’s in business administration in 2008 and master’s in exercise physiology in 2012, both from McNeese State.
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He and his wife, Julie, have three daughters: Austin, Ryan and Mason.
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