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The Doug Gottlieb era in Green Bay has gotten off to a rough start. The Phoenix basketball team has 11 losses in its first 13 tries, the most embarrassing of which occurred on Tuesday night.
Green Bay hosted Division II program Michigan Tech at the Resch Center. After jumping out to a 10-point first half lead, the Phoenix faltered following the halftime break.
Michigan Tech exploded for 49 points in the final 20 minutes, outscoring its opposition by 12. When the final whistle sounded, the Huskies had pulled off the upset, 72-70.
Green Bay loses a buy game to Michigan Tech. The epitome of brutality.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 18, 2024
This was a buy game for the Phoenix. They paid the Huskies to be there. It was a matchup Green Bay was expected to win despite its early season struggles. That didn’t happen!
Instead, Michigan Tech left with a paycheck and a win. Making matters worse for Doug Gottlieb, previous comments of his dismissing the latest foe resurfaced after the loss.
Gottlieb spoke on scheduling in his first year as the program’s leader. He’d much prefer to play tougher opponents as it helps him learn more about his team. He says he gains nothing from playing “Nobody U” and winning by 20.
That “Nobody U” quip was certainly targeted at a program like Michigan Tech given its Division II status. In this case, Gottlieb learned that he shouldn’t overlook anyone on the schedule.
Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb referred to D2 Michigan Tech as “Nobody U” before the game
Green Bay just lost 72-70 to Nobody U pic.twitter.com/K8aHakUApd
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) December 18, 2024
Much has been made of the coach’s lack of success thus far. Many have made note of a busy schedule that still includes Gottlieb’s FOX radio show appearances. How dedicated is he to the job?
As it turns out, he bailed on his Wednesday afternoon show that followed the loss. How he spent that time isn’t known.
After his UW Green Bay basketball team lost to D2 Michigan Tech this morning, head coach Doug Gottlieb is absent from his afternoon radio program pic.twitter.com/UgafGZcZth
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 18, 2024
Doug Gottlieb responded to the now-viral clip.
After seeing his comments make their ways around social media, the head coach attempted to clarify. He posted a message on X to set the record straight.
Done with this crap. We scheduled up. Including Michigan Tech. Nowhere ever, have I been critical of anyone on our schedule. Now, back to work.
-Doug Gottlieb / X: @GottliebShow
He insists that the “Nobody U” tag wasn’t aimed at anyone on the Green Bay schedule. He says the Phoenix scheduled up. Michigan Tech’s status as a D2 program doesn’t change that fact, in his eyes.
Still, this setback stings. The criticism is sure to stay so long as the losses continue to pile up. Gottlieb will be given some grace in Year 1 as he continues to build his program in a way that he sees fit. Patience will wear thin, though, if progress isn’t seen.