Doug Gottlieb’s Balancing Act: Radio Fame Meets College Coaching Reality at Green Bay
Doug Gottlieb, the newly appointed head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay men’s basketball team, embarked on a challenging journey, attempting to navigate the demanding world of college coaching while simultaneously maintaining his prominent career as a national sports radio personality. The article examines Gottlieb’s unique position, the difficulties he faces, and the perspectives of those who have witnessed his rise.
For Gottlieb, a typical day might involve a predawn start, juggling coaching duties, recruitment trips, and his three-hour afternoon radio show. An example from early February illustrates his hectic schedule. It began in Green Bay, followed by travel delays and a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to connect with Brian Montonati, his former Oklahoma State teammate and current high school basketball coach. The two former teammates reviewed plays, with the added bonus of evaluating Montonati’s son, a promising prospect in the 2026 recruiting class. From there, Gottlieb journeyed to Independence, Kansas, to scout a junior-college game before braving an impending ice storm to return to Green Bay for Wednesday’s practice. The return trip required a morning flight from Oklahoma City, involving very little sleep.
Gottlieb’s unconventional path to coaching has drawn considerable attention. Unlike most college coaches, who spend years as assistants, Gottlieb transitioned directly into a head coaching role without prior collegiate coaching experience. His decision to continue his radio show adds another layer of complexity, requiring careful time management and potentially impacting team activities. Despite the challenges, Gottlieb remains committed to both endeavors.
Kyle Keller, former coach at Stephen F. Austin and assistant coach at Oklahoma State during Gottlieb’s playing days, said, “I knew he could coach. He was so advanced with his thoughts, and he saw the game ahead of everything else. He just has a deep knowledge and passion. It all starts with passion. Doug’s passion for the game and for people, that’s who he is.”
Kurt Voss, a prominent Green Bay-area businessperson and program supporter, said, “Doug has been successful at everything he’s done. He’s beaten the odds at everything he’s done, from being a high-level player himself to his well-documented profession… I’m just one of those who believe that winners win, and he’s won his whole life. Now he’s going to have to figure out how to win at the college basketball level. And I have no doubt he’s going to do that, he’s going to figure it out. Because a guy like that doesn’t allow himself to lose over the long haul.”
Despite his confident demeanor and established radio career, Gottlieb has encountered mixed results on the court. As of early March, Green Bay’s record stood at 4-27, placing them last in the Horizon League. Fran Fraschilla, a former ESPN analyst and Gottlieb’s colleague, observed that Gottlieb believed he could excel as a coach. “I always felt that he felt he could be a better coach than 99 percent of the guys coaching. I honestly always felt he could do this job better than 99 percent of us. That’s Doug in everything. And that’s why he’s so good on the radio.”
The radio show, while beneficial for Green Bay’s exposure, also makes Gottlieb a target for criticism. His comments on various topics, including LeBron James’ parenting and opponent Michigan Tech being labelled "Nobody U" have drawn backlash. Furthermore, his past transgression of credit card theft as a college student gets brought up.
Gottlieb acknowledged the challenges, stating, "Luckily, I’ve got crocodile skin… You know, I was always told I should moisturize more. But it’s very normal for me to be a lightning rod on social media. Really, I used to take it really, really personal, and sometimes you still do take it personally.”
Before Green Bay, Gottlieb’s coaching experience was limited to assistant coaching for Team USA at the Maccabiah Games in 2009 and head coaching for the gold-medal-winning team in 2017. He was also a contender for several college coaching positions, nearly securing the Tulane job in 2016 and the Oklahoma State position in 2017. Prior to his Green Bay appointment, Gottlieb served as a consultant at Oklahoma State. His father and brother also have extensive coaching backgrounds, which solidifies that coaching is in his blood.
The article addresses the question of whether Gottlieb can effectively balance his two high-profile careers. His dual role has garnered a mixture of admiration and criticism. Some question whether he can dedicate the necessary time and energy to coaching, while others argue that his radio fame provides valuable exposure for the Green Bay program.
Keller noted that Gottlieb skipped several steps to get to his current position. He observed that envy might arise, and that it takes a strong person not to feel that way. Fraschilla mentioned that it would have been easier for Gottlieb to grow into the role with anonymity, but his fame made him a target.
Despite the difficulties, Gottlieb remains optimistic and expresses his love for the job. The team’s recent performance, including two wins in their last five games, suggests signs of progress. Voss believes that the team has not given up, despite the challenges.
Gottlieb’s late start in May, months after most coaching appointments, has also contributed to the program’s struggles. A roster with just two seniors and nine redshirt freshmen further compounds the challenge. Injuries to key players, such as leading scorer Anthony Roy and transfer Isaiah Miranda, have also hindered the team’s performance.
Despite these setbacks, Gottlieb benefits from his extensive network of contacts, fostered in part by his father’s involvement in AAU basketball. Gottlieb describes his support system as "an army of people that want to help." Coaches have also reached out to provide encouragement and advice.
The article notes that Green Bay’s struggles are not unprecedented. The program has experienced even worse seasons in recent years. Former coach Dick Bennett had a losing record in his first season before achieving success.
Gottlieb remains confident in his ability to turn the program around. He believes that the team is capable of significant improvement and that the university and its supporters are committed to success.
Keller stated, “Don’t think he’s not going to learn from this year and say, ‘Man, I’m not going to make these mistakes again.’ Don’t count him out. He looks at this stuff, like, ‘You better get your licks in now. Because it ain’t happening next year.’ I will be shocked if he doesn’t turn that thing around quicker versus later.”
At his birthday celebration, Gottlieb expressed optimism that the team would improve and that future celebrations would reflect the program’s success.
In conclusion, Doug Gottlieb’s journey as the head coach of Green Bay presents a compelling narrative of ambition, challenge, and resilience. While the road ahead may be difficult, his unwavering confidence, extensive network, and genuine passion for the game suggest that he is determined to succeed in his unique dual role. The success Gottlieb achieves will act as a case study for those who believe winners win, and who believe someone with his broadcasting platform can also be a winning coach.
