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Naivar Named Special Teams Coordinator, Safeties Coach

Postby PonyPride » Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:13 pm

From SMUMustangs.com:

Naivar Named Special Teams Coordinator, Safeties Coach

DALLAS (SMU) – With nearly 30 years of experience, most recently in the Pac-12 and Big 12, Craig Naivar will take over as the Mustangs' Special Teams Coordinator and safeties coach, Head Coach Rhett Lashlee announced today.

He comes to the Hilltop after two seasons as safeties coach at USC, where he mentored Talanoa Hufanga to consensus First-Team All-America and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020.

Prior to his time at USC, Naivar spent five seasons in the Lone Star State. From 2017-19 he served as safeties coach at Texas, while also serving stints as Special Teams Coordinator (2017-18) and Co-Defensive Coordinator (2019). During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, he was Houston's Co-Defensive Coordinator and safeties coach.

Naivar helped the Longhorns to a win in the 2019 Alamo Bowl, limiting No. 12 Utah to just 254 total yards and 15 first downs. He coached Caden Sterns to Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2018, and Jim Thorpe Award Finalist DeShon Elliott to unanimous All-America honors in 2017. That year, Texas also had one of the nation's top punt units, led by 2017 Ray Guy Award winner, Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year and unanimous All-American Michael Dickson. Dickson averaged a program-record 47.4 yards per punt and the Longhorn's net average (44.2) led the nation.

In his two seasons at Houston, the Cougars compiled a 22-5 record. The 2015 season saw top-20 rankings in rushing defense (8th) and scoring defense (20th), as UH was crowned American Athletic Conference Champions, won the Peach Bowl and finished No. 8 in the AP Poll. In 2016, the Cougars ranked fourth in rushing defense, 13th in total defense and 14th in sacks and tackles for loss.

Naivar spent the 2014 season at Kentucky, serving as Special Teams Coordinator and safeties coach. His defense registered 15 interceptions, ranking 22nd nationally, after posting just eight in the two seasons prior to his arrival. Kick returned Stanley Williams and placekicker Austin MacGinnis were named Freshman All-Americans.

In his second of two stints at Texas State (2011-13), Naivar coached Michael Ebbitt to 2011 Independent Defensive Player of the Year and mentored NFL talent in linebacker Joplo Bartu and cornerback Darryl Morris. In his first stint (2004-06), the Bobcats finished the 2005 season at 11-3, made an appearance in the FCS semifinals and finished in the top 25 for scoring defense and total defense. He led Fred Evans to Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year honors (2004) and AFCA All-America, conference player of the year and conference defensive player of the year honors (2005).

Naivar served as Co-Defensive Coordinator and safeties coach (2007-09) and Special Teams Coordinator and defensive line coach (2010) at Rice, helping Kyle Martens to All-America honors, in 2010. The Owls ranked 26th in the nation in punt returns and had the nation's 10th-best kickoff returner, Charles Ross. Kicker Chris Boswell earned All-Conference USA first team honors.

In 2001, he helped Sam Houston to an appearance in the FCS quarterfinals and spent four seasons overall with the Bearkats, working as Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator and with the defensive line and safeties.
Naivar also had stints at Southern Illinois (1998-99), New Mexico (1996-97) and Hardin-Simmons (1994-95).

A four-year letterwinner (1990-94) at Hardin-Simmons, Naivar played safety and quarterback. As team captain his senior year, he earned all-conference honors and helped the Cowboys to a conference championship and a trip to the national semifinals. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1994 and went on to earn a master's in sports management in 1996.

Naivar attended Taylor High School (Texas). He and wife, Michelle, have two children – Jordan and Gunner.
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