GREEN BAY, Wis. – Doug Gottlieb says he can effectively balance coaching Green Bay basketball and hosting a national sports radio show.
Gottlieb discussed his new arrangement during his introductory news conference Wednesday as the veteran broadcaster transitions into the coaching ranks.
“In terms of mental gymnastics, I know I can do it,” Gottlieb said. “I just have to prove that I can do it.”
Gottlieb will replace Sundance Wicks, who left Green Bay after one year to take over the Wyoming program. Green Bay went 18-14 in Wicks' lone season after posting a 3-29 record the year before he arrived.
The challenge for Gottlieb is to build on Wicks' success while also coping with the time demands that come with his radio job.
Gottlieb, 48, said the unusual deal should help because the radio job allowed him to accept a lower coaching salary than he otherwise would have asked for, which should allow Green Bay to spend more on the rest of his coaching staff.
He also noted that other coaches have their own media demands that take away from time that could be spent recruiting or working with players. But he admitted his case is special because “The Doug Gottlieb Show” airs five days a week.
“Most coaches have their own coaching show, obviously not live, not for two hours live nationally,” Gottlieb said. “Most coaches have times where they're out of the office and someone else is managing the players and the situations. But obviously we're going to play as we go here.”
Gottlieb acknowledged the possibility that he may eventually have to give up his radio show if it becomes clear that his two jobs cannot coexist.
“It's not forever with the radio show,” Gottlieb said. “It's a 'let's see how it works.'”
But he added that he thinks the combination should work well. He noted that his radio platform could help him promote Green Bay.
“I'm not going to be able to give a local talk about Green Bay, but I'm going to be able to talk about the Packers and I'm going to be able to show how nice it is to live in a special place,” Gottlieb said. saying. “Fox Valley is an amazing place to raise a family. Do people know that? People who live here know it. Local people know it. But people nationally don't.
“I want to use that platform as a promotional tool, just like Fox Sports is going to use my platform as a basketball coach as a promotional platform. That's how everything can work together.”
Gottlieb played at Notre Dame in 1995-96 and Oklahoma State from 1997 to 2000. He has worked as a broadcaster for most of the last two decades, with stints at ESPN, CBS Sports and Fox Sports.
He doesn't have any experience as a college coach, although he longed for an opportunity like this.
“Most coaches have their own coaching show, obviously not live, not for two hours live on a national level. Most coaches have times where they are out of the office and someone else manages the players and situations. But obviously we're going to play it out as we go forward here.”
New Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb
Green Bay athletic director Josh Moon considered hiring Gottlieb last year before ultimately opting for Wicks.
“I know that for a fact,” Moon said. “Doug has been working toward this moment for a long time. This has been his dream since day one.”
Gottlieb coached American teams to gold medals at the 2017 and 2022 Maccabiah Games, an international multi-sport event for Jewish athletes. He was an assistant coach on Bruce Pearl's staff at the 2009 Maccabiah Games. And Gottlieb noted that he has coached numerous AAU games.
He was born in Milwaukee and is the son of Bob Gottlieb, who coached Milwaukee from 1975 to 1980.
“My mom said of all the places we've lived, there's nothing like Wisconsin,” Gottlieb said. “There's nothing like it. Real people, real work ethic, real community.”
Gottlieb said he understands the unorthodox nature of his hiring. He was also quick to mention similar hires that have proven successful.
“Steve Kerr had never blown a whistle in his life before taking over the Warriors,” Gottlieb said. “I think it worked out well. Fred Hoiberg coached at his alma mater [Iowa State] after being in Minnesota's front office for a year. And that worked well. There have been many non-traditional hires. … I tell my kids that if someone doesn't laugh at your dreams, you're not dreaming big enough.”
