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 just have to prove I can do it.”
Gottlieb is taking over for Sundance Wicks, who left Green Bay after one year to take over Wyoming‘s program. Green Bay went 18-14 in Wicks’ lone season after posting a 3-29 record the year before his arrival.
The challenge for Gottlieb is to build on Wicks’ success while dealing with the time demands that come from his radio job.
Gottlieb, 48, said the unusual arrangement should help because the radio gig enabled him to accept a lower coaching salary than he otherwise might have commanded, which should enable Green Bay to spend more on the rest of his coaching staff.
He also pointed out that other coaches have their own media demands that take away from time that could be spent recruiting or working with players. But he conceded his case is special because “The Doug Gottlieb Show” airs five days a week.
“Most coaches have their own coach’s show — obviously not live, not for two hours live nationally,” Gottlieb said. “Most coaches have moments in which they’re out of the office and somebody else is managing the players and situations. But obviously we’re going to play it kind of as we go here.”
Gottlieb acknowledged the possibility that he might have to give up his radio show eventually if it becomes apparent his two jobs can’t coexist.
“It’s not a forever, 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 out well. He noted that his radio platform could help him promote Green Bay.
“I’m not going to be able to do local Green Bay talk, but I am going to be able to talk about the Packers and I am going to be able to display how enjoyable it is to live in a special place,” Gottlieb said. “The Fox Valley is an unbelievable place to raise a family. Do people know that? People who live here know that. People locally know that. 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 their promotional platform. That’s how it all 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 past two decades, with stints at ESPN, CBS Sports and Fox Sports.
He doesn’t have any college coaching experience, though he has longed for an opportunity such as this one.
“Most coaches have their own coach’s show — obviously not live, not for two hours live nationally. Most coaches have moments in which they’re out of the office and somebody else is managing the players and situations. But obviously we’re going to play it kind of as we go 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 this for a fact,” Moon said. “Doug’s been working towards this moment for a long time. This has been his dream from day one.”
Gottlieb coached U.S. teams to gold medals in 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 pointed out 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 have 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 also was quick to mention similar hires that have proved successful.
“Steve Kerr had never blown a whistle a day in his life before he took over the Warriors,” Gottlieb said. “I think that’s worked out OK. Fred Hoiberg coached at his alma mater [Iowa State] after being in the front office in Minnesota for a year. And that worked out OK. There’s been plenty of nontraditional hires. … I tell my kids that if somebody’s not laughing at your dreams, you’re not dreaming big enough.”