Doug Gottlieb let his emotions take over Sunday. Now it has cost him a game and possibly more as the Horizon League race tightens.
The Horizon League announced Wednesday that the Wisconsin Green Bay head coach will serve a one game suspension following his explosive postgame rant after the Phoenix fell 75-72 against Milwaukee. The timing could not be worse.
A meltdown that crossed the line
After the loss, Gottlieb slammed his hands on the table multiple times during his press conference, shouting about what he believed were inconsistent calls in the final minutes.
His biggest complaint centered on two late possessions he described as identical. One resulted in a foul against Green Bay. The other, in the closing seconds, went uncalled. Milwaukee capitalized at the free throw line and closed out the win.
Gottlieb also argued a technical foul he received with 6:58 remaining was unjustified. He insisted he did not leave the coaching box or curse at officials when the technical was assessed. But moments later in the press conference, frustration boiled over and the language followed.
That is the part the league clearly could not ignore.
The Horizon League steps in
The Horizon League announced the suspension for violating league operating regulations and stated that Gottlieb’s comments did not reflect the conference’s sportsmanship standards. The suspension will be served Friday against Oakland.
Gottlieb later issued an apology, saying he respected the difficulty of officiating and would be better moving forward.
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 18, 2026
The league considers the matter closed. The spotlight, however, remains.
Why this matters in February
Green Bay is 15-13 overall and 10-7 in conference play. That puts the Phoenix squarely in the middle of a crowded Horizon League standings picture.
This is a one bid league. Seeding for the conference tournament can determine everything. A higher seed means a more favorable path. A lower seed means a much steeper climb.
Oakland is not just another game on the schedule. It is a direct factor in how the bracket may look in a few weeks. Now Green Bay will play it without its head coach on the bench.
That is where the frustration turns into real consequences.
Passion is fine. Control is required.
There is no question Gottlieb cares. His team has been one of the better turnaround stories in the league this season. Green Bay was not expected to be in this position in February, yet here they are fighting for postseason positioning.
But there is a difference between standing up for your players and losing control in a public setting. In a tight race, details matter. So does leadership.
The players still have games to win. The conference tournament is approaching fast. The focus now shifts to whether Green Bay can respond the right way.
The league has spoken. Gottlieb has apologized. The next move belongs to the Phoenix.