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Doug Gottlieb believes he can effectively balance coaching Green Bay 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.
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“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.
Gottlieb 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.
Oklahoma State alumnus Doug Gottlieb is acknowledged during the second half of the NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. The longtime basketball radio analyst will make his college head coaching debut next season at Green Bay, the school announced Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Gottlieb will take over for Sundance Wicks, who left Phoenix after one year to take over Wyoming’s program. (AP Photo/Mitch Alcala)
“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 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 at Oklahoma State from 1997-2000. He has worked as a broadcaster for most of the last two decades, with stints at ESPN, CBS Sports and Fox Sports.
But he doesn’t have any college coaching experience, though he has longed for an opportunity such as this one.
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 did coach U.S. teams to gold medals in the 2017 and 2022 Maccabiah Games, an international multisport event for Jewish athletes. He also was an assistant coach on Bruce Pearl’s staff at the 2009 Maccabiah Games. Amd Gottlieb pointed out he has coached numerous AAU games over the years.
He was born in Milwaukee and is the son of Bob Gottlieb, who coached Milwaukee from 1975-80.
“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 says 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.”
