Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Stockstill names Diabate to coach linebackers
6/15/2017 12:01:00 PM | Football
Former Syracuse player takes over for Bibee
MURFREESBORO – Siriki Diabate (pronounced si-RIK-ee DEE-ah-BAH-tay) will coach the Middle Tennessee linebackers as announced by head coach Rick Stockstill on Thursday.
Diabate, who takes over for David Bibee, makes his way to Murfreesboro after a brief stint at Notre Dame and two full years on the staff at Colgate.
"I am excited to have Siriki join our staff," Stockstill said. "He will be a great example and leader of our linebackers. I love his energy, enthusiasm and passion he possesses for the game of football. He played for Coach (Scott) Shafer, so he comes in with a great understanding of our defense which was critical considering how close we are to our report date."
Diabate came from Notre Dame where he was a defensive analyst on Brian Kelly's staff since March 2017. Under Kelly, Diabate focused on the secondary.
"This is a tremendous opportunity with a program that has done a lot of great stuff under Coach Stockstill," said Diabate. "I can't wait to get there and join the staff, meet the players and begin preparing for the season.
"Coach Shafer is someone who has been very influential in my career, and to have a chance to keep learning under him is like a dream come true. I can't wait to team up with him and work extremely hard to put the best possible product on the field this fall."
Prior to joining Kelly's staff, Diabate spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons as the safeties coach at Colgate. In 2015, he helped the Raiders to a 9-5 record, a Patriot League Championship and a trip to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals. Their defense ranked first nationally in rushing defense while also pacing the Patriot League in total defense. He also recruited and coached 2016 Patriot League Rookie of the Year Abu Daramy.
Diabate previously spent two years as a graduate assistant coach at Syracuse, where he played his final two collegiate football seasons. He assisted with the Syracuse linebackers in 2013 and 2014, including a Texas Bowl championship win over Minnesota in 2013 under Shafer. In addition to on-field coaching, Diabate assisted with playbook, defensive quality control, scouting and self-scout reports.
The Orange finished the 2013 season as the only FBS team not to allow a 100-yard rusher.
Diabate has participated in the NFL's Minority Internship Program, joining the Buffalo Bills training camp in 2014 and the Dallas Cowboys in 2016. He completed his master's degree at Syracuse in 2015.
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. The Lions went 10-0 in 2010 to finish with a No. 4 national ranking.
Diabate, who takes over for David Bibee, makes his way to Murfreesboro after a brief stint at Notre Dame and two full years on the staff at Colgate.
"I am excited to have Siriki join our staff," Stockstill said. "He will be a great example and leader of our linebackers. I love his energy, enthusiasm and passion he possesses for the game of football. He played for Coach (Scott) Shafer, so he comes in with a great understanding of our defense which was critical considering how close we are to our report date."
Diabate came from Notre Dame where he was a defensive analyst on Brian Kelly's staff since March 2017. Under Kelly, Diabate focused on the secondary.
"This is a tremendous opportunity with a program that has done a lot of great stuff under Coach Stockstill," said Diabate. "I can't wait to get there and join the staff, meet the players and begin preparing for the season.
"Coach Shafer is someone who has been very influential in my career, and to have a chance to keep learning under him is like a dream come true. I can't wait to team up with him and work extremely hard to put the best possible product on the field this fall."
Prior to joining Kelly's staff, Diabate spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons as the safeties coach at Colgate. In 2015, he helped the Raiders to a 9-5 record, a Patriot League Championship and a trip to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals. Their defense ranked first nationally in rushing defense while also pacing the Patriot League in total defense. He also recruited and coached 2016 Patriot League Rookie of the Year Abu Daramy.
Diabate previously spent two years as a graduate assistant coach at Syracuse, where he played his final two collegiate football seasons. He assisted with the Syracuse linebackers in 2013 and 2014, including a Texas Bowl championship win over Minnesota in 2013 under Shafer. In addition to on-field coaching, Diabate assisted with playbook, defensive quality control, scouting and self-scout reports.
The Orange finished the 2013 season as the only FBS team not to allow a 100-yard rusher.
Diabate has participated in the NFL's Minority Internship Program, joining the Buffalo Bills training camp in 2014 and the Dallas Cowboys in 2016. He completed his master's degree at Syracuse in 2015.
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. The Lions went 10-0 in 2010 to finish with a No. 4 national ranking.
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