Doug Gottlieb chose the moment carefully.
After Green Bay’s 67–64 win over UC Santa Barbara, which lifted the Phoenix to 6–7 on the season, the Green Bay head coach announced he is stepping away from his daily show on Fox Sports Radio, ending a broadcasting run that spanned more than two decades so he can fully commit himself to building the Green Bay basketball program.
The announcement came on a night that reflected exactly why the decision felt necessary. Green Bay never trailed, built its lead early behind Marcus Hall’s 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 5-of-7 from three, and then defended through late pressure to close the game.
Preston Ruedinger logged 38 minutes, finishing with eight points and 13 assists, providing steady control as the game tightened. Green Bay survived missed free throws and empty possessions by forcing stops and making the final plays when it mattered.
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Gottlieb emphasized the move was not about walking away from radio, but about removing anything that could compromise preparation, travel, or presence. He pointed to recent situations where radio obligations forced him to travel separately from the team.
“I don’t think that’s what I want to do as a coach,” he said. “If there’s even an ounce of fatigue or lack of preparation, that’s on me.”
Gottlieb said he plans to continue podcasting in a more flexible format and thanked Fox Sports Radio and iHeart for their support. He described radio as a “relationship” and acknowledged the difficulty of stepping away after 23 years.
“This isn’t about hanging on for a paycheck,” he said. “I want to be authentic. This is what that looks like.”
For Green Bay, the decision removes any ambiguity. The Phoenix closed the night with composure, belief, and defensive resolve, the same qualities Gottlieb is now choosing to invest in without distraction.
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