Doug Gottlieb – ‘I Know I Can’ Balance Coaching, Radio Show

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 longtime broadcaster moves into the coaching ranks.

“In terms of the mental gymnastics of doing it, I know I can do it,” Gottlieb said. “I have to prove I can do it.”

Gottlieb is taking over for Sundance Weeks, who left Green Bay after a year to take over Wyoming’s program. Green Bay went 18-14 in Weeks’ lone season and posted a 3-29 record the year before his arrival.

The challenge for Gottlieb is dealing with the time demands that come from his radio job based on Weeks’ success.

Gottlieb, 48, said the unusual arrangement should help because the radio gig has enabled him to take a lower coaching salary than would otherwise be mandated, which will enable Green Bay to spend more on the rest of its coaching staff.

He also noted that other coaches have their own media needs that take away time that could be spent recruiting or working out players. But he acknowledged that his case is special because “The Doug Gottlieb Show” airs five days a week.

“Most coaches have their own coaches show — obviously not live, not two hours nationally live,” Gottlieb said. “Most coaches have moments where they’re out of the office and someone else is managing the players and the situation. But obviously we’re going to play as we go here.”

Gottlieb acknowledged the possibility that he would eventually have to give up his radio show if it became clear that his two jobs could not coexist.

“It’s not forever, it’s forever with the radio show,” Gottlieb said. “It’s a ‘let’s see how it works'”

But he added that he believes 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 talk local Green Bay, but I’m going to be able to talk about the Packers and I’m going to be able to show how much fun it is to live in a special place,” Gottlieb said. “The Fox Valley is an incredible place to raise a family. The people People who live here know it. People don’t know it nationally.

“I want to use that platform as a promotional tool, just like Fox Sports is going to use my platform as their promotional platform as a basketball coach. That’s how it works together.”

Gottlieb played at Notre Dame from 1995-96 and Oklahoma State from 1997 to 2000. He has worked as a broadcaster for most of the past two decades, with stints at ESPN, CBS Sports and Fox Sports.

He has no college coaching experience, though he is eager for such an opportunity.

“Most coaches have their own coaches show — obviously not live, not two hours nationally live. Most coaches have moments where they’re out of the office and somebody else is managing the players and the situation. But obviously we’re going to. To play the way we go here.

New Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb

Green Bay athletic director Josh Moon considered hiring Gottlieb last year before ultimately choosing Weeks.

“I know this for a fact,” Moon said. “Doug has been working toward this moment for a long time. It’s been his dream since day one.”

Gottlieb coached the U.S. team to gold medals at the 2017 and 2022 Maccabiah Games, an international multisport 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 appointment. He was quick to point out similar recruitments that proved successful.

“Steve Kerr had never played a whistle in his life before he took over the Warriors,” Gottlieb said. “I think it worked out. Fred Hoiberg coached at his alma mater (Iowa State) after one year in the front office in Minnesota. And it worked out. There’s a lot of unconventional recruiting. … I say kids, if you have a dream If you’re not smiling, you’re not dreaming big enough.”