Colorado State University Athletics
Staff Directory
Siriki Diabate
- Title:
- Run Game Coordiantor / Linebackers
- Email:
Siriki Diabate (pronounced si-RIK-ee DEE-ah-BAH-tay) joined Jim Mora’s staff as the linebackers coach and run game coordinator in December 2025, having spent the previous four years with Mora at Connecticut in the same role.
While at UConn, Diabate guided some of the nation’s most productive linebackers in recent seasons. In 2024, transfer Jayden McDonald totaled 125 tackles, ranking ninth nationally and 15th in tackles per game (9.6). In 2023, Diabate coached senior Jackson Mitchell to his third straight All-New England selection, 113 tackles, and a No. 19 national ranking in tackles per game, before Mitchell went on to play in the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl and sign with the Carolina Panthers. In his first season at UConn in 2022, Mitchell earned All-New England honors after leading the nation in fumble recoveries and ranking seventh nationally in total tackles, while linebackers Brandon Bouyer-Randle and Ian Swenson also signed NFL free agent contracts.
Pior to Storrs, Diabate worked for five seasons at Middle Tennessee State as a linebackers coach coaching in a pair of bowl games and mentored linebacker DQuarius Thomas who finished as the school's all-time leader in tackles for a loss (50). He also mentored Khalil Brooks who along with Thomas finished in the top-five all-time at MTSU in sacks. Diabate coached Brooks to All-C-USA status (second team), Darius Harris to All-C-USA (first team) and Thomas to All-C-USA (honorable mention) status during the 2018 season. In 2017, Diabate coached Brooks and DJ Sanders to all-conference status while Harris was named the 2017 Camellia Bowl MVP.
His coaching path began with a two-year role as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Syracuse, followed by three seasons coaching safeties at Colgate. While at Colgate, he helped the Raiders advance to the 2015 FCS quarterfinals after winning the Patriot League. Colgate led the nation in rushing defense the same year and was first in the league in total defense and rushing defense, while ranking second in scoring defense. Diabate also recruited and coached Abu Daramy to 2016 Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors, while Joe Figueroa earned All-Patriot League honors.
He has participated in the NFL's Minority Internship Program, joining the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.
Diabate was a team captain at Syracuse, helping the Orange to Big East Conference and Pinstripe Bowl titles in 2012. He was a leader on the defense that ranked sixth nationally in tackles for loss per game. Before his turn with SU, Diabate was an NJCAA All-American performer at Nassau Community College on Long Island, where he was a 2010 NJCC All-American and the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The Lions went 10-0 in 2010 to finish with a No. 4 national ranking.
Personal Information
Hometown: Bronx, N.Y.
Education: Syracuse, 2013 (Bachelor's) / Syracuse, 2015 (Master's)
Birthday: February 22
Diabate Experience
2026-Present: Colorado State (Run Game Coordinator / Linebackers)
2022-25: Connecticut (Run Game Coordinator / Linebackers)
2017-21: Middle Tennessee State (Linebackers)
2017: Notre Dame (Defensive Analyst - Secondary)
2015-17: Colgate (Safeties)
2013-15: Syracuse (Graduate Assistant - Linebackers)
Playing Experience (Linebacker)
College: Nassau CC (2009-10) / Syracuse (2011-13)
While at UConn, Diabate guided some of the nation’s most productive linebackers in recent seasons. In 2024, transfer Jayden McDonald totaled 125 tackles, ranking ninth nationally and 15th in tackles per game (9.6). In 2023, Diabate coached senior Jackson Mitchell to his third straight All-New England selection, 113 tackles, and a No. 19 national ranking in tackles per game, before Mitchell went on to play in the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl and sign with the Carolina Panthers. In his first season at UConn in 2022, Mitchell earned All-New England honors after leading the nation in fumble recoveries and ranking seventh nationally in total tackles, while linebackers Brandon Bouyer-Randle and Ian Swenson also signed NFL free agent contracts.
Pior to Storrs, Diabate worked for five seasons at Middle Tennessee State as a linebackers coach coaching in a pair of bowl games and mentored linebacker DQuarius Thomas who finished as the school's all-time leader in tackles for a loss (50). He also mentored Khalil Brooks who along with Thomas finished in the top-five all-time at MTSU in sacks. Diabate coached Brooks to All-C-USA status (second team), Darius Harris to All-C-USA (first team) and Thomas to All-C-USA (honorable mention) status during the 2018 season. In 2017, Diabate coached Brooks and DJ Sanders to all-conference status while Harris was named the 2017 Camellia Bowl MVP.
His coaching path began with a two-year role as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Syracuse, followed by three seasons coaching safeties at Colgate. While at Colgate, he helped the Raiders advance to the 2015 FCS quarterfinals after winning the Patriot League. Colgate led the nation in rushing defense the same year and was first in the league in total defense and rushing defense, while ranking second in scoring defense. Diabate also recruited and coached Abu Daramy to 2016 Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors, while Joe Figueroa earned All-Patriot League honors.
He has participated in the NFL's Minority Internship Program, joining the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.
Diabate was a team captain at Syracuse, helping the Orange to Big East Conference and Pinstripe Bowl titles in 2012. He was a leader on the defense that ranked sixth nationally in tackles for loss per game. Before his turn with SU, Diabate was an NJCAA All-American performer at Nassau Community College on Long Island, where he was a 2010 NJCC All-American and the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The Lions went 10-0 in 2010 to finish with a No. 4 national ranking.
Personal Information
Hometown: Bronx, N.Y.
Education: Syracuse, 2013 (Bachelor's) / Syracuse, 2015 (Master's)
Birthday: February 22
Diabate Experience
2026-Present: Colorado State (Run Game Coordinator / Linebackers)
2022-25: Connecticut (Run Game Coordinator / Linebackers)
2017-21: Middle Tennessee State (Linebackers)
2017: Notre Dame (Defensive Analyst - Secondary)
2015-17: Colgate (Safeties)
2013-15: Syracuse (Graduate Assistant - Linebackers)
Playing Experience (Linebacker)
College: Nassau CC (2009-10) / Syracuse (2011-13)
Colorado State Basketball (W): Carlson (L) and Froebe (R) Post-Game (Fresno State 25-26)
Wednesday, January 07
Colorado State Basketball (W): Ryun Williams Post-Game (New Mexico, 25-26)
Wednesday, January 07
Colorado State Basketball (M): Ali Farokhmanesh Post-Game (New Mexico)
Tuesday, January 06
Colorado State Basketball (M): Jase Butler (L) & Auggie Kiudulas (R) Post-Game (New Mexico)
Tuesday, January 06
