Doug Gottlieb releases first public comments on accepting Green Bay coaching job

Doug Gottlieb landed his first coaching job Tuesday as he was named the head men’s basketball coach at Wisconsin-Green Bay. A longtime analyst for FOX Sports, ESPN, CBS and others, the former Oklahoma State point guard was announced as the 10th coach in Phoenix history by the program.

Gottlieb released his first public statement following the move in a press release on the official Wisconsin-Green Bay website.

“It is an honor beyond measure to be named the 10th Men’s Basketball coach in UWGB history. I would like to thank Chancellor Mike Alexander and Josh Moon for this incredible opportunity,” Gottlieb said. “Every kid has a dream growing up, some want to be firefighter, others want to be president, I have always wanted to be a head basketball coach at the Division I level.”

At 48 years old, it marks a move that many questioned would ever happen after Gottlieb’s name was rumored every time the job at his alma mater became open. That included this past season when the Cowboys parted ways with Mike Boynton but eventually hired Western Kentucky’s Steve Lutz.

Gottlieb’s father Bob Gottlieb was previously a head coach at Wisconsin-Milwaukee for five seasons from 197-80. He directed the Panthers to a 62-70 record in that span and Doug Gottlieb was born in Milwaukee in 1976.

He expressed excitement to return to the state where he was born to embark upon his head coaching career.
 
“As a kid who was born at Columbia Hospital and a dad who was, at that time a head coach in the UW system, it is even more amazing to get this opportunity to come back to Wisconsin and live out my dreams,” Gottlieb said. “Green Bay Basketball will be a family, and you are all welcome to join the family. Together, we are going to play great basketball, bring positive attention to the Fox Valley and UWGB community and have a heck of a lot of fun doing it.

“I can’t wait to meet you all and welcome you to the new Phoenix Family. If you need me, I’ll be in the gym. Let’s be great.”

Gottlieb played his first college season for Notre Dame in 1995-96. He later transferred to Oklahoma State and played three seasons in Stillwater to average 5.2 points, 8.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He went on to play basketball overseas for a few seasons before shifting to sports media.

Now Doug Gottlieb is set to take over a Wisconsin-Green Bay team that finished 18-14 this past season. The Phoenix have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2016, but Gottlieb will aim to change that as he assumes his new role.