LAKE CHARLES – University of Texas assistant football coach Eman Naghavi, who was also a three-time All-Southland Conference offensive lineman for McNeese from 2005-08, has been named the Cowboys' new offensive line coach announced Thursday by head coach Matt Viator.
 
His appointment is subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.
 
Naghavi replaces Rob Sale who was hired two weeks ago as the offensive line coach at the University of Georgia.
 
"We are extremely excited to welcome Eman back to coach our offensive line," said Viator. "He did a great job for us coaching tight ends for two years. As a former all-conference performer, both on the field and in the classroom, he understands the expectations and traditions we have for McNeese football.
 
"Without a doubt, he's the perfect fit."
 
Naghavi spent the last two seasons at Texas coaching under head coaches Mack Brown and Charlie Strong where he worked with the tight ends and offensive line.
 
"This is exciting," said Naghavi. "It's one of those opportunities you wish for and dream for. I was able to go to Texas and learned some great things from some great coaches, and to be able to come back to McNeese is a blessing."   
 
Naghavi, a native of Katy, Texas, was a member of the Cowboys' staff in 2011 and 2012 and worked with the offensive line under Sale. Both years the Cowboys ranked second in the Southland Conference in rushing offense.
 
He played for the Cowboys from 2005-08 and helped lead the Pokes to an undefeated regular season in 2007 while winning the Southland Conference championship.
 
During his four years on the offensive line, the Cowboys led the league in rushing offense twice (2007, 2008), total offense twice, (2007, 2008), and scoring offense three times (2006-08). And in addition to his all-conference accolades, he named first team all-Louisiana in 2008 and earned SLC All-Academic honors in 2007 and 2008.
 
"I'm lucky to get an opportunity from Coach Viator," said Naghavi. "He's been a mentor to me. He's the only one to take a chance on me as a player out of high school and then another chance as a coach.
 
"I learned some different things while at Texas. One thing is how good we have it here at McNeese with the tradition, fans, co-workers, everything. I also learned that the coaches here at McNeese are some of the best coaches in the country and can be coaching anywhere they want to be, but choose to stay at McNeese because it's such a special place."
 
Naghavi plans to incorporate a few things he learned at Texas.
 
"I'll bring some different schemes but for the most part, everything we do will be the same. Coach Sale did a great job here so I'll want to keep it as consistent as possible."
 
Naghavi's start date will be February 1.