Doug Gottlieb Suspended for Rant on Refs in Viral Video After Green Bay's Loss to Milwaukee

Green Bay men's basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb was suspended by the Horizon League after expressing his displeasure with the officiating during a game on Sunday.

Gottlieb was issued a technical foul in a 75-72 defeat against Milwaukee, giving his thoughts on the situation following the game.

"Every time we touched them it was a foul in the second half," Gottlieb told reporters. "The last play of the game, just to get the ball, they're grabbing and holding us. And again, I understand if you're not calling that, that's fine. You had the exact same play at both ends on the last play of the game. The exact same f--king play [slams table repeatedly]. The exact same play. So I need the new commissioner of the Horizon League to explain to me what a technical foul is when I don't leave the box, I don't curse, I'm not demonstrative. There was nothing—nothing—that should have been called a technical foul. I know when I've earned one. I did not earn one."

The 50-year-old eventually issued an apology for his remarks in a Wednesday post on X.

Green Bay chancellor Michael Alexander and athletic director Josh Moon released a joint statement thanking Gottlieb for the apology, but also disagreeing with the suspension decision.

"We have talked to Coach Gottlieb about the comments he made following Sunday's game," the statement said. "We appreciate his apology and respect the commissioner's decision, however, we do not believe his actions warrant a suspension. We feel a reprimand or public censure would have been appropriate. Assistant Coach Kerry Rupp will be the acting Head Coach for Friday's game at Oakland."

Near the end of the loss to Milwaukee, Phoenix guard Preston Ruedinger was called for a foul on Panthers guard Amar Augillard. Ruedinger was then stripped of the ball on Green Bay's next possession and no foul was called, leading to Gottlieb to believe that both plays should have been officiated similarly.

The Phoenix have improved significantly in their second season under Gottlieb, owning a 15-13 record after wrapping up a 4-28 finish during their 2024-25 campaign.

They currently sit at No. 4 in the Horizon League standings.

Gottlieb will miss Green Bay's clash with Oakland on Friday due to the suspension before he'll be eligible to return for a game against Detroit Mercy on Sunday.