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Heeke not holding Zeigler hostage
I have had some people mention to me today that Mick McCabe of the Detroit Free Press mentioned on Lansing radio today that Dave Heeke's contract offer to Ernie Zeigler is only if Trey Zeigler agrees to come to CMU. I can state that that is completely untrue.
Here is what is going on:
-There is a 4-year offer on the table to Ernie right now. The sides are still discussing details of the offer. Right now, the new contract would feature a pay increase in base salary and in media compensation. The guaranteed money is believed to be in the range of $200K per-year.
-I am uncertain of what details the sides are still trying to iron out.
-No matter where Trey signs to play college basketball, this is the offer that will remain for Ernie. CMU has not and will not change the contract based on where Trey goes to school. They are basing the offer on Ernie's coaching performance thus far.
Just wanted to clear that up. Dave Heeke would be crazy to hold a coach hostage as McCabe accused him of. Heeke has a track record of offering extensions and salary increases to coaches that win titles and I am sure he will continue to do the same with Ernie if he continues to win MAC West and overall championships.
Here is what is going on:
-There is a 4-year offer on the table to Ernie right now. The sides are still discussing details of the offer. Right now, the new contract would feature a pay increase in base salary and in media compensation. The guaranteed money is believed to be in the range of $200K per-year.
-I am uncertain of what details the sides are still trying to iron out.
-No matter where Trey signs to play college basketball, this is the offer that will remain for Ernie. CMU has not and will not change the contract based on where Trey goes to school. They are basing the offer on Ernie's coaching performance thus far.
Just wanted to clear that up. Dave Heeke would be crazy to hold a coach hostage as McCabe accused him of. Heeke has a track record of offering extensions and salary increases to coaches that win titles and I am sure he will continue to do the same with Ernie if he continues to win MAC West and overall championships.
Labels: CMU men's basketball, Dave Heeke, Ernie Zeigler
posted by Nate Schneider at
4:56 PM
23 Comments:
If Ernie doesn't bring Trey he is not worthy of a four year deal.
A BIG part of being a coach is recruiting.
If you can't land your own son, or he doesn't want to be part of Dad's program, how does that look to other recruits?
I think Trey's delay in signing was all about getting dad a better deal.
I don't think Trey not coming to CMU says anything about Ernie's recruiting ability. If Trey went to another MAC school, then that could be used against him, but we are talking about programs like MSU and UCLA that have won national championships in the past.
As a father, I would want what is best for my child and if he had the potential to make it to the NBA, I would want him going to the best school possible for giving him the chance to get there. A school with the best facilities, the best media exposure, and the competition on a regular basis that would cause him to get better year after year.
I am sure Trey and Ernie would love to spend the next four years together and maybe it will happen, but if it doesn't I don't hold it against Ernie as a recruiter.
"[I]f he had the potential to make it to the NBA, I would want him going to the best school possible for giving him the chance to get there. A school with the best facilities, the best media exposure, and the competition on a regular basis that would cause him to get better year after year.."
Didn't seem to be a problem for Dan Roundfield, Ben Poquette, Dan Majerle or Chris Kaman.
"Didn't seem to be a problem for Dan Roundfield, Ben Poquette, Dan Majerle or Chris Kaman." NO NEED TO SAY ANYTHING MORE!
March 31, 2010 7:28 PM
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Guys the simple fact is that 4-start recruits don't come to CMU. Look at football. If LeFevour was a 4-star recruit, would he have come here? Or Staley?
I am not saying CMU can't produce pro talent, but the ratio is much higher at schools like UCLA and Michigan State and there is a reason they get the top talent coming out of high school year after year.
"Didn't seem to be a problem for Dan Roundfield, Ben Poquette, Dan Majerle or Chris Kaman."
You listed 4 guys out of how many?
Do I really need to list the number of players that are in the NBA from MSU, Michigan, or UCLA?
Listing 4 players does not prove anything about trying to get to the NBA. Playing at the bigger schools still gives players a greater chance.
Drew, you said: "Look at football"?
OK Drew... let's "look at football"!!!! (not some "stars" a website makes up about 17 yr. olds to sell subscriptions).
...Central Michigan just BEAT MSU in football (in fact CMU is now 3-0 vs. MSU w/ Coach Enos).
...Central Michigan is a Top 25 football program in the Nation... How about MSU?
Central Michigan has won Championships three of the last four years and has played in four consecutive Bowl games... How about MSU?
Central Michigan will ring up their third consecutive victory against a Mid-Ten this season... How about MSU?
Contrary to your belittling viewpoint -- Central Michigan "football" has proven ability that they can BEAT much of the Mid-Ten year in and year out... Michigan State, Minnesota, Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, Northwestern.
... when Dan Majerle TURNED DOWN MSU for Central Michigan I guess he gave up his chance of staring for 14 years in the NBA as a multiple-time all star and landing in the Suns Ring of Honor? Huh?
If Trey Zeigler is good enough -- he will play in the NBA -- REGARDLESS of where he plays!
If you are talented the NBA WILL find you. Whether you play in Lithuania or E. Lansing. Whether a guy plays at Miami of Ohio (All Pro Ben Roethlisberger) or Michigan State (3rd stringer Drew Stanton). Talent is what matters nearly 100% of the time and will ALWAYS rise to the top -- whether in Malaysia or Mt. Pleasant.
Wow. Okay, first my examples of MSU and UCLA were for basketball. They are storied programs in BASKETBALL. If you want the football examples we are talking about USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, etc. I am not saying Michigan State football is a power and if CMU continues to find itself in the top 25 on a consistent basis, then yes, top level recruits could start committing here.
Second, I once again stated "I am not saying CMU can't produce pro talent, but the ratio is much higher at schools like UCLA and Michigan State". CMU can produce pro talent but many times it is on guys that have a lot of potential, but are very raw. When Chris Kaman first got here, he was a project. He sat behind another freshman, Gerrit Brigitha, most of his first year. Then he developed over the next two years and was a stud. If Kaman entered college the Kaman that left it, you can bet he would have played for a Big Ten or Big East school.
Third, you don't have to like the recruiting websites that rate kids, and frankly I am not a huge fan because there are a lot of hits and misses, but they get their information from a lot of the schools that evaluate the high school talent.
Fourth, your point about Dan Majerle is fine and is an example of this situation, but the fact that you have to go back to the Mid 80's to find an example of it doesn't make it a trend or support the idea that this happens a lot.
Lastly, I know you guys bleed maroon and gold and I respect that. You are true to your school and think CMU is the best. I am in no way trying to "belittle" CMU. The University does great things with athletics year in and year out but there isn't a person inside athletics that won't tell you that CMU doesn't have the money to compete with bigger non mid-major programs in terms of spending, which plays heavily into recruiting. Trey Zeigler has the ability to play for elite college basketball programs that have multiple national championship banners. There is nothing wrong with a kid wanting to pursue that and it is not a shot at his father if he can't get him to play here. If Trey goes to a struggling program like Michigan, I may listen more to your argument. But if he goes to Michigan State or UCLA, I can't blame him.
So the fact is: If Trey Zeigler is good enough -- he will play in the NBA -- REGARDLESS of where he plays! (and if he chooses to play for his Dad that will be a special blessing that few ever get to be part of in life).
If you are talented the NBA WILL find you. You cannot dispute that. Whether you play in Lithuania or E. Lansing. Whether a guy plays at Miami of Ohio (All Pro Ben Roethlisberger) or Michigan State (3rd stringer Drew Stanton).
Whether in the glitzy programs surrounded by lots of money and temptation or in the blue-collar programs -- the cream will rise.
Talent is what matters -- and it will ALWAYS rise to the top -- whether in Malaysia or in Mt. Pleasant my friend.
Either way -- we wish all the best to Trey!
Seriously folks, you just can’t compare CMU’s basketball program with the likes of UCLA, MSU, or any other traditional power. If Trey goes to one of those schools over CMU, it has absolutely nothing to do with Ernie’s ability to recruit. Yes, it would be a great story, it would be very exciting for students, alum, fans, and yes, Trey would still have the opportunity to get to the NBA. But let’s be realistic, many of the programs that covet him are top notch 4 and 5 star programs. I love CMU, I am an active booster, and a very proud alum. But you can’t fault him if he picks a school that offers top notch tradition, facilities, and exposure.
On a side note, I am a little surprised that McCabe would make such statements. He is a highly respected reporter that usually does not say things just on a whim. I can’t imagine Dave Heeke giving this type of ultimatum. If you take the emotion out of it, it just doesn’t make sense for either side.
If you think you are a "booster" it must be for MSU. Not for Central Michigan because you ignore that choosing to play for your Dad could be a special blessing that few ever get to be part of in life.
You obviously don't understand that talent is exposure. The NBA will find you whether at Northern Iowa or Notre Dame. Let alone under a rock in Malaysia.
It's not that I disagree with your assessment that talent will be found if had, I just think we see things differently in terms of how going to a UCLA or Michigan State helps Trey more. We will have to agree to disagree.
LOL!!! Well, this is the first time I have ever been accused of being a MSU supporter!!
I don’t have to justify my loyalties to my school and community, but trust me, my money and support goes to CMU. I am an 1100 Club and Chippewa Club member, and have been for years. I live in the community, and agree that it would be really cool to see Trey play for his Dad. Even Ernie has stated that it would be special.
I also don’t think anyone has stated Trey would ruin his chances at a NBA career if he did attend CMU. I fully understand that talent is found in all places of the world, every NBA roster is indicative of that. But let’s not fault the kid, or his Dad, if he chooses to attend a traditional power like UCLA, Kentucky, and yes, MSU.
This process is about what’s best for Trey, not for fans like us, or even CMU. If Trey and his parents think CMU is the right fit, great! If not, then let’s not admonish him for choosing a different route.
Well said SRT.
Wow, some of the comments here are unbelievable. Drew has carefully explained (more then once) his reasoning for his comments, and it's like people do not hear/understand what he's saying.
I'm a Miami University alum & fan, overall MAC fan, and casual CMU fan who lives in the area. I follow CMU athletics very closely as it's the main D-I program in the area.
I don't know what is more shocking, the inability to understand Drew's point (as he's made it clear multiple times), or how quickly a "fan" can take someone disagreeing with them and turn it into questioning the other person's fanhood.
RE "You listed 4 guys out of how many?
Do I really need to list the number of players that are in the NBA from MSU, Michigan, or UCLA?
Listing 4 players does not prove anything about trying to get to the NBA. Playing at the bigger schools still gives players a greater chance."
There's something called DATA STANDARDIZATION. Let's take all highly regarded recruits who went to MSU, Michigan or UCLA and divide by the number who make the pros. Probably comes out to around 15-20% Now lets' take the number of high quality players who didn't go to Massive U. Guess what? You will probably get around 15-20% who make the pros.
There' NO STATISTICAL DIFFERENCE! Hence, if you are good enough, the NBA will find you. It's hogwash any other way you slice it.
Go through the NBA team rosters throughout the history of the league and you will find plenty of stars from the schools sports elitists like to snub.
By the way, GO BUTLER GO!!!
Any honest CMU fan understands your point Drew. CMU is not UCLA or MSU in Basketball or football for that matter. Yes we have beat MSU and we are #23 at the end of the season. But that was our first top 25 ranking. When we do it year in and year out then we can have this discussion.
When has CMU football beat Minnesota, Purdue, Illinois or Northwestern?
I have to agree with the guy that stated accurately that today (not decades ago) whether you play at Northern Iowa or Notre Dame the NBA will locate your talent. Please stop the silly notion that playing at Central Michigan could hurt anyone. Lack of talent is the only thing that holds guys back from the NBA today, not the zip code.
Did Lorenzo White Jr. also make a mistake in your book because he turned down MSU (to choose Central) where his dad was the Heisman runner-up and all time leading rusher?
Quit bowing to the school we just beat on the field in E. Lansing.
Alright guys, this is the last time I will say this. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE AS A FOOTBALL POWER. MY REFERENCE ABOUT THEM IS ABOUT BASKETBALL. Please stop talking about the fact that CMU beat them in football in regards to an argument about why Trey Zeigler can make it to the NBA if he comes to CMU. Please.
And I also have a lot of people making note of what Butler has done this year, but just so you know, Butler has won at least 28 games the last four years and made the NCAA Tournament the last four years winning at least one game three of those four years. Butler is not a flash in the pan. This is a program that has been solid for nearly half a decade and always been a contender in the Horizon League. They can land solid recruits through their continued years of high level success. They have been in the NCAA Tournament eight times since 1997.
How about Northern Iowa? This is their fifth tournament appearance since 2004. This is not a one year thing for them. They have established themselves as an elite program in the Missouri Valley Conference and can land some higher level recruits because of their sustained success.
Now had Ohio made a run to the Final Four, you may have had an argument there, but the Kent State and Miami runs in the past were from teams that had sustained championship level play. If CMU was a 25 win team for four of the last six or seven years, I would probably agree that Zeigler should have no problem coming here. But, to be the first big recruit to sign somewhere is a risky move. You still need surrounding talent that can play at a high level. He can find that at BASKETBALL PROGRAMS (NOT CALLING THEM FOOTBALL POWERS) like Michigan State and UCLA. I will again state that a jump to Michigan would be silly to me and going to CMU would be a better choice than that.
So if you want to continue to argue my points here, that is fine, but please stop bringing up Michigan State football. I am not saying that they are a big time program.
Butler had to start somewhere. Northern Iowa had to start somewhere. Gonzaga had to start somewhere.
Maybe, just maybe, Central Michigan's "starting somewhere" could be with Trey and the already committed incoming Chippewa recruits who many are touting as one of CMU's best hoops classes ever.
What rankles dedicated CMU fans are those who can't seem to fathom that concept. Remember Magic Johnson's decision to "stay home" at Michigan State? Shouldn't he have gone to an established powerhouse such as UCLA, Kentucky, or North Carolina? No, he relished a chance to put is hometown school on the basketball map. Before Magic, the Spartan's were a blip. After Magic, MSU has joined the club as one of the best.
I don't mean to intimate CMU will ever reach the hoops elite. I'm just saying even MSU had to start from somewhere. Chippewa fans will be thrilled if we could get back to relevance on the national basketball scene either for a just couple of years or better yet in a sustained fashion. And having the unique opportunity of securing a top 50 recruit has a good chance of achieving it.
That's fair enough. I am not saying it is out of the question for this to happen, I just said that it is not a poor showing of Ernie's ability to recruit if Trey doesn't come here and I don't think you can blame Trey for not coming here. The simple fact is if Ernie wasn't the head coach, CMU would have never been on Trey's radar.
CMU has to start somewhere to start building its programs. And it doesn't help to have people in the media adding to the perception that you have to go to a "large" university to make it to the next level.
Be it football or basketball or what ever college sport, if we can get more people to act & agree that CMU is in the same division & plays the same teams as these other "large" schools it will help in the University's perception outside of Mt. Pleasant and the MAC.
It is not Drew's job to write favorable articles about CMU athletics. It's his job to write factual, accurate articles about CMU athletics.
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