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The Horizon League on Wednesday suspended Green Bay Phoenix men’s basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb for one game after his epic tirade against referees following a loss.
Gottlieb criticized officials for what he believed was inconsistency in calls during the team’s 75-72 loss to the Milwaukee Panthers on Sunday. He will miss Friday’s game against Oakland.
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Green Bay men’s basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb leaves the court after 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)
“Gottlieb’s comments after the game do not reflect the League’s values or sporting expectations. The Horizon League considers this matter closed and will not be commenting further,” the league said in a statement.
Gottlieb apologized for his outburst.
“I would like to apologize to the Horizon League and officials for my derogatory comments after Sunday’s game,” he said in a statement. “I understand and appreciate how difficult their job is, and I respect what they do for the sport of 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’s Preston Ruedinger, who was driving to the basket. Elam was fouled 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 put the Panthers ahead. Gottlieb believed there should have been a foul.
“It’s the exact same play as on the other end; it couldn’t be more similar,” he said. “And yet, every time they drove, it was a foul. And every time we did, it was mixed.”
Green Bay men’s basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb during 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)
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The Panthers were 30 of 37 on free throws and Green Bay was 14 of 18.
Gottlieb was also upset about a technical foul he was given. He slammed his hands on the press conference table as he argued that he was not being “demonstrative” to officials.
“I need the league (Horizonte) to explain to me why they gave me a technical foul when I didn’t curse, I wasn’t demonstrative, I didn’t leave my area,” he said. “All I said was, ‘That’s the same play on the other end.’ All we’re asking for is fair play.
“That’s what we’re asking for. CJ O’Hara goes and gets an offensive rebound, his player dives for his legs, CJ gets called for a foul. I need (Horizon League men’s basketball officiating coordinator Donnie Eppley) and the new commissioner (Jill Bodensteiner) to explain the disparity in officiating to me. That’s what I need explained to me.”
Green Bay athletic director Josh Moon said his department spoke with Gottlieb about his actions.
Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb gestures to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas on Nov. 3, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
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“We appreciate his apology and respect the commissioner’s decision, however, we do not believe his actions warrant a suspension. We believe a public reprimand or censure would have been appropriate,” he said.
