The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay took a shot on a talker of a hire with Doug Gottlieb before this season. So far, it appears to be a disaster.
Gottlieb and the Phoenix are currently 2-18 and on a 15-game losing streak. Green Bay hasn’t won a game in two months – an 82-57 win over SIU-Edwardsville Nov. 19
The Green Bay program appeared to be in the rise after Sundance Wicks took over in 2023.
After the Phoenix had a disastrous 2022-23 season, winning just three games total and finished tied for last place in the Horizon. Wicks pulled off one of the most unlikely turnarounds by guiding the Phoenix to an 18-win season and the team led the Horizon League for part of the season, ultimately finishing tied for third.
Things not going well for Gottlieb, Green Bay
Wicks departed back to Wyoming as the head coach and the Phoenix decided to go for a stunning hire in Gottlieb. Gottlieb is known for his time as a broadcaster and radio host. He had never coached at really any level. The early returns point to a disaster.
Wrote a post about how Doug Gottlieb’s attempt at coaching a college basketball team while hosting a daily 2-hour sports talk show was off to a 2-16 start.
Unfortunately the post is now outdated (they’re 2-18 now, 0-9 in conference) pic.twitter.com/6dnOEWooLY
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) January 21, 2025
The Phoenix haven’t won a game in two months. They last won on Nov. 19. Included in UWGB’s 15-game losing streak is Division II Michigan Tech. Gottlieb was trashed for allegedly calling Michigan Tech ‘Nobody U’ and then losing to them, however some reporters have since said this wasn’t in regards to Michigan Tech.
The Phoenix also have yet to win a Horizon League game.
DOUG GOTTLIEB & GREEN BAY JUST LOST TO A DII SCHOOL 😳 https://t.co/95efg5ibDY pic.twitter.com/gkZkhh7TUA
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) December 18, 2024
When Gottlieb was hired, it came out that Gottlieb would continue to do his radio show for FOX while being the head coach of UWGB. Gottlieb acknowledged in his press conference the possibility he may have to give up his radio show if the two jobs aren’t jiving and said it’s a ‘let’s see how it works’ scenario in the AP article.
Well, I think it’s time to give up the broadcasting gig, no? It is odd for a first-time head coach to not devote his entire time to a college basketball program he took over. It’s even more odd the UWGB brass allowed him to not be only a coach. Doing both makes your program look unserious and the results have followed.
It will be interesting to see what happens the rest of the season and ultimately as bad as things have gone – if Gottlieb gets a second year. It’s been that bad. While UWGB is a juggernaut by no means, the program looks unserious now when they’ve had some very good coaches and periods of quality play despite limited NCAA Tournament berths.
With Canisius and Alcorn State recently getting wins, the longest losing streak in the country now belongs to Doug Gottlieb and the Green Bay Phoenix.
Green Bay hasn’t won since November 19th and is now 2-16. Gottlieb is in his first year of college coaching at any level. pic.twitter.com/TEogLsbvkI
— Austin Goetsche (@AustinGoetsche_) January 13, 2025
At the very least Gottlieb should squash the radio portion and just do hoops. You’d think he’d have already decided to do that, but…he’s likely to at least be forced to do that. After that, if the results stay like this Gottlieb may not be in Lambeau’s backyard long.
