Wisconsin-Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb has been suspended for disparaging comments made about the Horizon League Conference’s officiating in his team’s defeat to Milwaukee 75-72, on Sunday.
His suspension, which prevents him from participating in Friday’s game against Oakland, was due to an explosive rant he had during the the post game press conference, in which he directed profanities against the officials.
Here’s the Horizon League’s statement on the matter:
“The Horizon League is suspending Green Bay men’s basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb for violating the League’s Operating Regulations on Sunday, February 15,” the statement read. “As a result, Coach Gottlieb has been suspended for Friday’s game against Oakland. Gottlieb’s postgame comments do not reflect the League’s values or sportsmanship expectations. The Horizon League considers this matter closed and will have no further comment.”
Gottlieb, a former sports radio host, has since apologized for the incident and released the following statement:
“I’d like to apologize to the Horizon League and the officials for my disparaging comments following Sunday’s game,” Gottlieb said. “I understand and appreciate how difficult their job is, and respect what they do for the sport of basketball. I will be better moving forward.”
What Comments got Doug Gottlieb Suspended?
Doug Gottlieb spent a significant part of his postgame press conference complaining about a technical foul he received, and that, in his opinion, he didn’t deserve. He also complained about the officiating overall, changing the trajectory of the game:
“I need the league to explain to me why I got a technical foul when I did not curse, I was not demonstrative, I did not leave my box. All I said was ‘That’s the same play as on the other end,’ OK?” Gottlieb said Sunday night. “All we ask is that there’s a fair game. That’s what we ask.”
But probably the moment that earned him the suspension was when he was comparing two offensive plays, one from each team, which earned Wisconsin-Green Bay a foul but not Milwaukee:
“You had the exact same play at both ends at the end of the game – the exact same play! The EXACT SAME F**KING PLAY!” Gottlieb repeated as he slammed his hands on the table hard enough to knock over the microphone in front of him. “The exact same play…”
Things got heated when Doug Gottlieb repeatedly slammed the table in front of him, which could be heard on the press conference’s audio.
Read More:
Amid Dominant Displays, Yaxel Lendeborg Names The Only Weakness of Michigan Team
How Long Will Koa Peat Be Out With Injury? Analyzing Arizona’s Latest Medical Update
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
