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The 2005-06 collegiate season will be Ernie
Zeigler's third as a Bruin assistant coach. Before
coming the UCLA, Zeigler (Zeeg-ler) spent two
seasons (2002-03) on Ben Howland's staff at
Pittsburgh.
Zeigler's recruiting efforts helped UCLA in 2004
land the nation's No. 4 (Rivals.com) incoming
freshman class and this year's recruits consist of
five players, all rated among the Top 100 in North
America.
During Zeigler's two seasons (2002-03) at
Pittsburgh, the Panthers compiled a record of 57-11.
In 2003, the Panthers were 28-5, earned a No. 4
ranking on the final Associated Press poll and
played in the NCAA "Sweet 16" for the second
consecutive season. In 2002, Pittsburgh won a
school-record 29 games and again reached the NCAA
"Sweet 16".
Zeigler, 39, joined Howland's Pittsburgh staff in
the summer of 2001 after serving two one-year stints
at Bowling Green State University (2000-01) and
Kansas State University (1999-2000).
The second-year Bruin assistant also has significant
overseas head coaching experience. From 1997-99,
Zeigler served as the head coach for the Al-Hilal
Sports Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He guided Al-Hilal
to the Saudi Arabian Basketball Federation Playoff
championship game in 1999, along with the Arab
Championship Games Final Four and Saudi Arabian
Basketball Federation Playoffs in 1998.
In addition, he was the head coach of the Henan
Wildcats (China) from 1996-97 and was named the
Chinese National Basketball Alliance International
Coach of the Year in 1997, after leading the
Wildcats to their first playoff berth and first
winning season in club history. From 1992-97,
Zeigler served as head coach of Team Detroit AAU. He
led Team Detroit to the State AAU Final Four
Tournament in each of his six years at the helm. In
1994, Zeigler's team qualified for the National AAU
Quarterfinals and in both 1995 and 1997, he directed
the squad to the adidas Big Time Tournament
quarterfinals.
"I feel extremely fortunate that Ernie joined us at
UCLA," Howland said. "He is of the highest caliber
in all facets of coaching - academics, recruiting,
on-the-court instruction and developing strong
relationships with our players. He knows what it
takes to run a successful basketball program and is
of the highest integrity who represents UCLA in a
first-class manner."
Born January 31, 1966 in Detroit, MI, Zeigler began
his coaching career under the tutelage of his former
prep coach Robert Menefee at his alma mater, Detroit
Cody High School. From 1990-96, Cody was ranked
among Michigan's Top-10 Class A teams during four of
his six years as an assistant coach. Detroit Cody
reached the state quarterfinals in 1992 and won the
Detroit Public School League West Division
Championship in 1993. As a collegian, Zeigler played
at Schoolcraft College (Livonia, MI/1984-86),
Armstrong Atlantic State University (Savannah,
GA/1986-87) and Northwood University (Midland,
MI/1987-88).
Zeigler is a 1994 graduate of Cleary College
(Ypsilanti, MI.) with a bachelor's degree in
business management. Zeigler and his wife, Seantelle,
have two children, Trey (14) and Skylar (9). |
