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The Horizon League suspended Green Bay Phoenix men’s basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb for one game Wednesday after his epic tirade against officiating in a loss.
Gottlieb criticized officials over what he believed to be 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 Feb. 1, 2026, at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis. (Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“Gottlieb’s postgame comments do not reflect the league’s values or expectations of sportsmanship. 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 the officials for my derogatory comments after Sunday’s game,” he said in a statement. “I understand and appreciate how difficult their job is and respect what they do for the sport of basketball. I want to get better moving forward.”
Green Bay was down 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 increase the lead with one second left in the game.
On the Panthers’ previous possession, Amar Augillard drove to the basket and was fouled. He hit two free throws to put the Panthers ahead. Gottlieb believed there should have been an ugly call.
“It’s exactly the same game as the other end – couldn’t be more similar,” he said. “And yet, every time they drove, it was a mistake. 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, Wis. (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 call he got. He slammed his hands on the press conference table as he claimed he was not being “demonstrative” towards officials.
“I need the (Horizon) league to explain to me why I got a technical foul when I wasn’t cursing, I wasn’t being demonstrative, I wasn’t leaving my box,” he said. “All I said was, ‘It’s the same play as the other end.’ All we ask is that there is fair play.
“That’s what we’re asking. CJ O’Hara goes up and gets an offensive rebound, their player dives into the legs, CJ gets called 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 difference in the meicia I have.
Green Bay athletic director Josh Moon said their department spoke with 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)
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“We appreciate his apology and respect the commissioner’s decision, but we do not believe his actions warrant a suspension. We feel a reprimand or public criticism would have been appropriate,” he said.
