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Maki Ready For Challenge In Charge Of NAIA Program

HOWELL - After 17 years as an assistant coach, Drew Maki is ready for the job of being in charge of a program.

The 42-year-old will get that opportunity at Cleary University.

“It’s definitely a homecoming for me,” the Wyandotte High School graduate said about becoming the second head coach in the five-year history of the program.

Maki, who coached one year at Henry Ford, three at Wayne State, six at Eastern Michigan and the last seven at Northern Illinois, feels up to the challenge.

“The last 13 years I’ve been a Division I assistant,” Maki pointed out. “I’ve wanted to run my own program, and getting home is the key.”

There is more that Maki believes can be beneficial about his past as he takes over the Cougars.

“I’ve spent 17 years watching right and wrong,” explained Maki, who grew up in Lincoln Park less than an hour away from Cleary. “I’m used to the grind of being an assistant. Now I’m ready to work as the guy overseeing it in a positive way.”  

Work at the NAIA program has already begun for Maki, who played collegiately at Grand Valley State.

“My goal in five years is to be in the national scene,” Maki related. “I want a ranked program with a chance to compete in the World Series.”

Recruiting is a major component when it comes to success at the college level.

“I’m excited to build a program around speed,” noted Maki, who estimates spending seven to eight hours a day on the phone trying to add players since taking over the program. “Obviously you build around pitching and this is no different. This is a really big park and the team has done well hitting in the past, but we need to shore up the staff to get over the hump.”

The new Cleary mentor has experience when it comes to all parts of the game.

“In my 17 years as a coach I’ve been pitching coach 10 years and hitting coach seven, so I’m more versatile than most,” Maki explained. “I plan to have very detailed plans daily, weekly and seasonally for each player.”

Maki feels there is no need to go too far to help the cause in finding players to fit in at Cleary.

“The school is surrounded by a hotbed of talent,” Make pointed out. “I’m going to work to keep a lot of players at home. I think you could do most of the recruiting within 30 minutes of the school in all directions.”

Prep Baseball Report is another avenue that Maki plans to use.

“PBR is a great tool in creating a list and identifying players with talent,” Maki said. “Once you do that you’re able to watch guys and do that final in-game evaluation.”

Maki also has advice for future recruits.

“Target schools of all different levels,” Maki suggested. “Send personal emails with interesting facts about the school. Include details about the school, like education is a great major there. List your impressive stats, like a 3.7 GPA or 6.1 in the 60.

“Go to PBR events,” Maki added. “If a school likes you, coordinate with them and maybe they will be at the PBR event. Also, keep them updated. Coaches appreciate personalized info.”

With “a good core of the team back” at Cleary, the plan now is to recruit while beginning to build the program into a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference power.

“As a coach one of my main goals is to create an environment where everybody shows up to the yard and wants to be part of the success,” Maki said. “Find ways to enjoy your time when you’re at the field.”

The veteran coach looks forward to doing just that.