National Sports Talk Host Hired as UW—Green Bay Men’s Basketball Coach

In a shocking announcement, a national sports talk radio host is taking the job as the head coach of a NCAA Division I basketball program despite lacking any previous coaching experience in the high school or college ranks.

On Tuesday, May 14th, it was announced that Fox Sports Radio personality Doug Gottlieb would become the new head men's basketball coach of the University of Wisconsin—Green Bay Phoenix.

Anyone who consumes sports media with any regularity is likely aware of Doug Gottlieb. Before becoming a nationally syndicated radio host on Fox Sports Radio, Gottlieb was an accomplished basketball player at both Notre Dame and Oklahoma State. He went on to play in various basketball leagues, including the United States Basketball League (USBL) and the International Basketball Association (IBA).

Following his basketball career, since 2002, Doug Gottlieb has been a mainstay on local, and now national radio. He worked for ESPN for several years, helping launch the ESPNU TV network, dedicated to covering college athletics. Presently, he hosts a radio show on Fox Sports Radio every weekday.

Gottlieb is now the 10th head coach in the history of the Green Bay Phoenix's men's team. While the Milwaukee native doesn't bring any prior head coaching experience to the program, Gottlieb was a part of the staff for the United States team at the 2009 and 2017 Maccabiah Games, per ESPN. He also interviewed for the Oklahoma State job when the university hired Mike Boynton.

Gottlieb was one of the finalists for Green Bay's head coaching vacancy last year, but the job ultimately went to Sundance Wicks. After leading the Phoenix to an 18-14 record, Wicks departed Green Bay to become the head coach of the Wyoming Cowboys basketball team.

One of the many noteworthy aspects in this development is the fact that Green Bay will allow Gottlieb to keep his weekday radio show while he is the coach of the Phoenix. Being that Green Bay lacks a national presence, this shouldn't be much of a conflict of interest, but I suppose we'll see what transpires come time for March Madness coverage next March.

Meanwhile, Gottlieb released a statement, in addition to a surprise reveal on his radio show, The Doug Gottlieb Show, in regards to him being named the new head coach of the Phoenix:

It is an honor beyond measure to be named the 10th men's basketball coach in UWGB history. Every kid has a dream growing up -- some want to be a firefighter, others want to be president. I have always wanted to be a head basketball coach at the Division I level. - per Doug Gottlieb's statement on becoming the head coach of University of Wisconsin—Green Bay

Read more about radio host Doug Gottlieb being named the head coach of the University of Wisconsin—Green Bay on ESPN's website.