NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The Horizon League suspended Green Bay Phoenix men’s basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb for one game on Wednesday after his epic tirade against the officiating following a loss.
Gottlieb criticized officials for what he believed was an inconsistency in calls during the team’s 75-72 loss to the Milwaukee Panthers on Sunday. He will miss Friday’s game against Oakland.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Green Bay men’s basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb leaves the court after a game against Wright State on Feb. 1, 2026, at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. (Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“Gottlieb’s postgame comments do not reflect the League’s values or athletic expectations. The Horizon League considers this matter closed and will have no further comment,” the league said in a statement.
Gottlieb apologized for his outburst.
“I would like to apologize to the Horizon League and officials for my disparaging comments following Sunday’s game,” he said in a statement. “I understand and appreciate how difficult their job is and I respect what they do for basketball. I will be better in the future.”
Green Bay trailed 73-72 late in the game when Milwaukee’s Stevie Elam stole the ball from Phoenix player Preston Ruedinger, who was driving toward the basket. Elam fouled out and made two free throws to extend the lead with one second left in the game.
On the Panthers’ previous possession, Amar Augillard drove to the basket and was fouled. He made two free throws to give the Panthers the lead. Gottlieb thought there should have been a foul.
“It’s exactly the same game as the other side, it couldn’t be more similar,” he said. “And yet, every time they drove, it was a mistake. And every time we did it, it was mixed.”
Green Bay men’s basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb during a game against Wright State on February 1, 2026, at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. (Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
UCLA coach ejects own player mid-game after serious foul against Michigan State
The Panthers were 30 of 37 on free throws and Green Bay was 14 of 18.
Gottlieb was also upset by a technical foul called against him. He slammed his hands on the press conference table, saying he was not being “demonstrative” towards those responsible.
“I need the league (Horizon) to explain to me why I had a technical foul when I did not swear, I was not demonstrative, I did not come out of my box,” he declared. “All I said was, ‘It’s the same room as the other side.’ All we ask is for a fair game.
“That’s what we’re asking for. CJ O’Hara goes for an offensive rebound, their player dives through his legs, CJ gets booked for a foul. I need (Horizon League coordinator of men’s basketball officials Donnie Eppley) and the new commissioner (Jill Bodensteiner) to explain to me the disparity in officiating. That’s what I need to explain to myself.”
Green Bay athletic director Josh Moon said his department spoke to Gottlieb about his actions.
Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb waves to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas, Nov. 3, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, file)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
“We appreciate his apology and respect the commissioner’s decision, but we do not believe his actions warrant a suspension. We believe a public reprimand or censure would have been appropriate,” he said.
