GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb was suspended one game by the Horizon League on Wednesday for comments he made while criticizing officials after a 75-72 loss to Milwaukee last Sunday.
Gottlieb slammed his hands on the table at one point and used an expletive in his postgame news conference while complaining about what he perceived as inconsistency in the officiating. Video of his news conference garnered attention on social media.
“Gottlieb’s postgame comments do not reflect the League’s values or sportsmanship expectations,” the Horizon League said in a statement announcing the suspension. “The Horizon League considers this matter closed and will have no further comment.”
The suspension will take effect for Friday when Green Bay (15-13, 10-7) visits Oakland (14-13, 10-6).
“I’d like to apologize to the Horizon League and the officials for my disparaging comments following Sunday’s game,” Gottlieb said Wednesday in a statement. “I understand and appreciate how difficult their job is, and respect what they do for the sport of basketball. I will be better moving forward.”
Kerry Rupp, an assistant on Gottlieb’s staff, will be Green Bay’s acting head coach on Friday.
