2008 Woodie Awards
Patience paying off for Zeigler
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
To the outside world, he's just a basketball coach.
But to the 15 players who put on maroon and gold and take the court for Ernie Zeigler, he means much more.
Junior forward Nate Minnoy said the second-year coach forms different relationships with his players based on their needs.
"He's a father figure for a lot of us. He's a friend to a lot of us that have fathers," Minnoy said. "He's just trying to help us be the best people we can be."
Minnoy, who transferred to Central from Purdue and Schoolcraft Community College, said Zeigler was a main factor in his decision to play in Mount Pleasant.
"When I was looking to see where I wanted to go to school, I wanted to go where I trusted people," he said. "I definitely wanted to play for somebody that was basically from the same (background) I'm from. We've both gone through significant things in our lives."
Zeigler's first season as head coach was marked by ups and downs, but CMU improved its win total by nine from the previous season.
Zeigler said as the season progressed, he began to realize something.
"(I learned) to be more patient with my players, to be more patient with my staff, to be more patient with myself," Zeigler said. "I think a lot of times when you have the opportunity to lead a program at the Division I level you have all these ideas and all these things you want to happen now, now, now. But you have to kind of pick your battles."
Zeigler got the chance to gain the pieces he believes he needs to compete in the Mid-American Conference as he recruited his first group of players to CMU.
Eddie Spencer said Zeigler ignites a family-like atmosphere not present before his arrival to the team last season.
"Off the court, he's just a great guy," the senior guard Spencer said.. "You can trust him. He's a trustworthy guy, and he tells it like it is - he doesn't sugarcoat anything."
Spencer is a testament to Zeigler's coaching philosophy. In February, Spencer was arrested for driving on a suspended license and sentenced to 30 days in jail. He was suspended indefinitely after the incident.
But to the 15 players who put on maroon and gold and take the court for Ernie Zeigler, he means much more.
Junior forward Nate Minnoy said the second-year coach forms different relationships with his players based on their needs.
"He's a father figure for a lot of us. He's a friend to a lot of us that have fathers," Minnoy said. "He's just trying to help us be the best people we can be."
Minnoy, who transferred to Central from Purdue and Schoolcraft Community College, said Zeigler was a main factor in his decision to play in Mount Pleasant.
"When I was looking to see where I wanted to go to school, I wanted to go where I trusted people," he said. "I definitely wanted to play for somebody that was basically from the same (background) I'm from. We've both gone through significant things in our lives."
Zeigler's first season as head coach was marked by ups and downs, but CMU improved its win total by nine from the previous season.
Zeigler said as the season progressed, he began to realize something.
"(I learned) to be more patient with my players, to be more patient with my staff, to be more patient with myself," Zeigler said. "I think a lot of times when you have the opportunity to lead a program at the Division I level you have all these ideas and all these things you want to happen now, now, now. But you have to kind of pick your battles."
Zeigler got the chance to gain the pieces he believes he needs to compete in the Mid-American Conference as he recruited his first group of players to CMU.
Eddie Spencer said Zeigler ignites a family-like atmosphere not present before his arrival to the team last season.
"Off the court, he's just a great guy," the senior guard Spencer said.. "You can trust him. He's a trustworthy guy, and he tells it like it is - he doesn't sugarcoat anything."
Spencer is a testament to Zeigler's coaching philosophy. In February, Spencer was arrested for driving on a suspended license and sentenced to 30 days in jail. He was suspended indefinitely after the incident.
Be the first to comment on this story