First of two parts
Both Macalester basketball teams are in rebuilding mode this season, and as expected there are adjustments for both coaches and players. MSR recently talked to both first-year assistant coaches and players in separate interviews. This week: Assistant Coaches Mamadou Diallo (MBB) and Taylor Pilot (WBB).
Diallo known as defense-minded
Mamadou Diallo continues his “Midwest coaching journey” in St. Paul — he was hired as Macalester’s full-time men’s assistant coach last summer.
For the past several seasons, Diallo served in similar assistant roles at Midwestern schools: Ripon (Wis.) College for four seasons, Cornell (Iowa) College (2024-25), and graduate assistant at Mount Mercy University, a NAIA school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (2023-24).
“The reputation that this institution has as a high academic institution is something that is very attractive to me,” Diallo said before the season. MAC first-year Head Coach Rich Glesmann hired him in August.
“Being in the Division III world the last six years, [Macalester] is a globally recognized institution that’s prestigious, and that was another reason why this opportunity was something that I couldn’t pass up,” he pointed out.
A native of Los Angeles, Diallo spent two seasons playing basketball at NAIA schools York (Neb.) University and Simpson (Calif.) University before finishing his multidisciplinary studies degree work at West Virginia University in 2019, then later earned his MBA at Mount Mercy in 2025.
As far as coaching is concerned, Diallo said he remembers his first thought about becoming a coach while playing high school ball. “It all actually began for me when I was a senior in high school,” he recalled, “and my high school coach allowed me and a couple of my other teammates to coach our junior varsity team in summer league.
“So, from that summer it was always something that I was interested in. I just didn’t know how I could get my foot in the door.”
Nearing the end of his college playing career at Simpson, “I knew at that time for sure that I wanted to coach,” continued Diallo, who added that he took the advice of one of the school’s women’s basketball coaches who suggested that he should work summer basketball camps to make contacts.
“It basically got my foot in the door,” stressed Diallo, who has over his short but successful coaching career built a reputation as a defensive-minded coach. “I’ve coached the defensive side of the ball, but it’s something that I take pride in.”
Last season at Cornell, Diallo worked closely with the team’s post players and helped develop two all-conference players as a result. “Player development is a big part of coaching as well, and something that I really enjoy doing,” he said.
“My goal is to be a college head basketball coach at some point in my career,” said Diallo, “I definitely really enjoy my time at the Division III level. I don’t know what the future holds as well.”
For Pilot, the game is her first love
Taylor Pilot last season played her final collegiate season at Division II Alaska Fairbanks, coached by AD Donovan. When Donovan was hired as Macalester head women’s basketball coach last summer, Pilot later became one of her first hires as an assistant coach.
“It has its ups and downs. But it’s been fun,” said Pilot after last Saturday’s home game vs. Saint Mary. “It’s a whole different perspective from playing.”
Pilot got interested in coaching during her college playing years, working as a summer camp coach for four years at California State-Stanislaus, where she played three seasons and earned all-conference and all-academic honors. She graduated with a business administration degree (2023).
She later got her MBA in general management from Alaska Fairbanks, where Pilot completed her athletic eligibility. She led the squad in assists.
The Fresno, Calif. native said the weather in St. Paul hasn’t bothered her yet. “I’m used to the cold. The nice part is there’s sun” as compared to her one season in Alaska, stressed Pilot.
The first year Mac assistant coach pointed out that the Scots coaches and players both are learning from each other: “We are finding our rhythm. I think the players are adjusting to their roles. They are so unselfish,” said Pilot, adding that the team must improve its rebounding.
“I’ve heard rebounding always has been a struggle in the past at Mac,” she said.
Pilot stressed that she is where she is supposed to be. “I can’t get away from basketball. I love basketball way too much. It’s in my blood,” she concluded. “It’s my first love.”
Next: Three Macalester players talk about adjusting this season
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.