The Doug Gottlieb Era: 5 Major Questions Facing Green Bay Phoenix Men's Basketball In The 2024-2025 Season
The Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball program is currently navigating one of the most dramatic and unexpected shifts in its recent history, making the 2024-2025 season a compelling narrative for college basketball fans. Just months after achieving one of the greatest single-season turnarounds in NCAA Division I history under former coach Sundance Wicks, the program found itself searching for a new leader, a development that rocked the Horizon League. The subsequent hiring of a high-profile media personality as head coach has instantly put the Phoenix program under a national spotlight, raising significant questions about the team's direction and competitive outlook.
As of late December 2025, the Phoenix are deep into their Horizon League schedule, working to define their identity under a new system. The team's performance this year will be a direct reflection of the new coaching staff's ability to integrate a mix of returning players and newcomers while attempting to maintain the energy and enthusiasm that defined the previous season's success. This is a program in transition, and every game in the Resch Center is a step into a new, uncertain but exciting future.
Doug Gottlieb: The New Era's Unexpected Architect
The biggest story surrounding the Green Bay Phoenix is, without a doubt, the arrival of Head Coach Doug Gottlieb. His hiring marks a significant departure from traditional coaching hires and serves as a major talking point in the college basketball world.
Biography and Coaching Profile
- Full Name: Douglas Mitchell Gottlieb
- Born: January 15, 1976
- Role: 10th Head Coach in Green Bay Phoenix Men's Basketball History
- Hired: May 14, 2024
- Previous Career: Longtime national basketball analyst and sports talk radio host for Fox Sports Radio
- Coaching Experience: Green Bay is his first collegiate head coaching position
- Unique Aspect: Gottlieb is continuing to host his national radio show while serving as the Phoenix head coach, a unique arrangement in Division I basketball.
- Playing Career: A former standout point guard at Oklahoma State, known for his prolific assisting, which is expected to influence his coaching philosophy.
Gottlieb was hired following the abrupt departure of Sundance Wicks, who left for the Wyoming head coaching job after leading the Phoenix to a dramatic turnaround season. Gottlieb's appointment is a high-risk, high-reward move, banking on his deep knowledge of the game, media savvy, and ability to attract talent through his national connections to elevate the program's profile and recruiting efforts.
Question 1: Who Are the Key Players Defining the Gottlieb System?
A coaching change of this magnitude always results in a roster overhaul, with some players departing via the transfer portal and new talent arriving to fit the new system. The Phoenix roster for the 2024-2025 season is a blend of returning contributors and new faces expected to step into leadership roles.
The new era is focused on implementing Gottlieb's vision, which is expected to emphasize ball movement, high-IQ play, and efficiency, a stark contrast to a rebuilding team's typical style. The success of the current season hinges on the performance of a few key individuals who must embrace this new philosophy.
The Expected Core Roster
- Marcus Hall (Forward): A returning presence who will be vital for interior scoring and rebounding. His veteran leadership is crucial during this transition.
- Isaiah Miranda (Center): Another key big man listed on the 2024-2025 roster, his development under Gottlieb's system could be a major factor in the Horizon League.
- Jeremiah Johnson (Newcomer): A key addition from the transfer portal, Johnson is one of the players expected to bring immediate scoring punch and experience to the backcourt, filling the void left by departing players.
- Bennett (Commit): A notable recruit for the 2024 class, representing the first wave of talent Gottlieb is bringing into the program.
The team is looking for a primary point guard to run the offense and a consistent scorer to carry the load in conference play. The turnover in the roster, which saw players like Elijah Jones and Clarence enter the transfer portal, means new leaders must emerge quickly.
Question 2: Can the Phoenix Compete in the Horizon League This Season?
The Horizon League is a tough mid-major conference, and the Phoenix face an uphill battle. The dramatic turnaround of the previous season (which saw them jump from just three wins to a competitive record) set a high bar, but the subsequent coaching change reset the program's momentum.
Early projections and analysis suggest the 2024-2025 season will be a significant rebuilding year under Gottlieb. One report even projected a difficult outlook for the Phoenix in the 2025 Horizon League Tournament. The team's focus is less on a championship run and more on establishing a new culture and identity.
- Focus on Fundamentals: Gottlieb's background as a premier passer suggests a system focused on minimizing turnovers and maximizing quality shots.
- Road to the Tournament: To contend, Green Bay must find a way to consistently win on the road, a perennial challenge for Horizon League teams, and protect their home court.
- Home Court Advantage: The Phoenix split their home games between the Resch Center and the on-campus Kress Events Center. The atmosphere at the Resch Center, where the team plays its bigger games, will be critical to their success.
Question 3: What is the Long-Term Vision for the Program?
The hiring of Doug Gottlieb is a clear signal of an ambitious long-term vision. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is leveraging his national profile to increase the program's visibility, which is essential for recruiting and fundraising.
The vision is about creating a sustainable winning culture that can regularly compete for the Horizon League title and secure NCAA Tournament bids. Gottlieb’s ability to sell his vision and the university's commitment to the program will be tested in the coming years. His challenge is to transition from a media personality who critiques the game to a coach who successfully manages the day-to-day operations and complexities of a Division I program.
Question 4: How Will the Coaching Change Impact Recruiting?
Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college basketball program, and the new coaching staff has immediately focused on rebuilding the roster through the transfer portal and high school ranks. Gottlieb's connections in the national basketball community are a major asset in this area.
The emphasis will likely be on attracting skilled, high-IQ players who fit the new system, rather than simply recruiting the most athletic prospects. The key will be consistency; maintaining a stable roster year-to-year is crucial for building a cohesive unit and competing with established Horizon League powers like Oakland and Purdue Fort Wayne.
Question 5: Can Green Bay Replicate the Turnaround Success?
The previous season's success under Sundance Wicks—a dramatic improvement that garnered national attention—creates an undeniable pressure point. Fans and observers will inevitably compare the current team's trajectory to the rapid ascent of the year prior.
Gottlieb’s task is not just to win, but to build something lasting. The 2024-2025 campaign is an essential foundation year, focused on establishing the new coach's culture, system, and recruiting pipeline. While the win-loss record may not immediately reflect a massive turnaround, the development of key players and the team's competitive spirit in the Horizon League will be the true measure of success in the Doug Gottlieb era.
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