Former player Diarra named director of player development

All Mamadou Diarra wanted was the chance to continue working with the UConn men’s basketball team after graduating with a master’s degree from UConn in May.

On Tuesday, Diarra started his first day as the director of player development. Diarra will replace Taliek Brown, who departed the program in May to become an assistant coach at Iona College.

Diarra played with the

Huskies from 2016-19 until a chronic knee condition forced him to retire. He transitioned to a student assistant, and eventually became a graduate assistant with the team for two seasons.

In his new role Diarra will work closely with players on and off the court.

“I always felt like my relationship with the players, being a former player and knowing what players need are things I can use to my advantage when it comes to coaching,” he told the Courant. “I felt like this was a stepping stone that ultimately leads to coaching. It was a great opportunity to be a part of the program and help the players with things they need.”

Diarra had to apply for the position and go through interviews like any other candidate. He had an initial interview with just the UConn coaching staff and a final interview with head coach Dan Hurley and associate head coach Kimani Young.

Diarra said working with the program and knowing the coaches helped him land his dream job.

“It means everything to me,” he said. “I played here, I worked here as a graduate assistant, and I was a student assistant here. To be asked by coach Hurley to come back and work for him as a full-time staff [member], it truly means a lot. I’m excited to be around the guys. I developed great relationships with great guys on the team. Even the new guys through the recruiting process, I got to know them and their families.”

One of those new transfers includes Mamadou’s brother, Hassan a sophomore transfer guard from Texas A&M.

Mamadou is ready to get to work.

“I’m just glad to be here,” he said. “I am going to try to be the best player development coach in America. UConn means everything to me. I’m going to make sure our players get everything they need to be 100% successful on the court.”