OK. OK. Bold move, Fighting Phoenix!
Let me open with this: I’m not going to knee-jerk negative on this. I’m not going to knee-jerk positive on this. I’m not saying this will work. I’m not saying this won’t work. I’m not really saying anything…until we all hear from Doug.
In one word: intriguing.
First of all, I think this says a lot about what the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay thinks of Doug Gottlieb. The rapid nature of this announcement suggests that Doug was not only a very serious consideration a year ago, but likely a silver medalist to Sundance. So there’s that. That’s really all there is to say about it. That doesn’t mean that this will work, and it doesn’t mean that this won’t work. All it really means is that this is not as far out of left field as it appears on the surface.
That being said, I do have what I believe to be a significant question about this. Which full-time job is Doug Gottlieb’s side hustle?
Contrary to popular belief, executing a radio show of any type, especially one of Doug‘s caliber, takes work. I say it all the time with regard to broadcasting: it takes a lot of work to make it appear as though it isn’t. To perform at Doug’s level – and love him or hate him, his level is elite – takes a significant amount of time and effort and focus. Tossing Division I head basketball coach into the mix seems, I guess I’ll just say, difficult. I mean, that’s a 60-hour a week gig isn’t it? Compound the natural workload of coaching in general, especially at a DI level, with rebuilding a program, and I’m wondering if Doug’s found an Adam Sandler clicker somewhere in his Fox Sports Radio tote bag.
Doug’s answer to that question – Which job is the side hustle? – will very much shape my belief in (or out) of this hire. And in the end, time will judge.
Regardless of how this plays out, I sure do love and appreciate the content! This takes stones and a little bit of crazy (on everyone’s part), and I’m all here for it! Cajones + Crazy just might be the formula for success in this everchanging landscape of major college athletics. It sure beats irrelevance!
Sundance is a perfect snapshot of major college athletics today, heck all sports today. Dude is one-and-done and on to the next. It’s not that the windows of opportunity are shorter, it’s that our collective patience has evaporated. Owners, schools, players, even fans are more willing to go all-in for the here-and-now, and sacrifice development. Development is slow. Who’s got time for that? There’s money to be made.
Business first, development second.
That may not be “right” or “ideal” or even the case for many of the men and women who coach and who play, but the latter certainly get caught up in the wake, and certainly have begun to embrace it themselves.
We can debate the appropriateness of this evolution all we want, but that does not erase the fact that victories, dollars, publicity…not necessary in that order…are kings. Player development? Character development? Molding these young men and women into better humans? I mean, I guess. That certainly sounds good from the podium and on a mission statement on the wall of the locker room, but I can’t tell you the last time a 5-22 head basketball coach was retained because his kids all made the Dean’s List and are all “really good people.”
NIL and the transfer portal.
Coaches bounce, athletes bounce, and the ones who “build a program” usually get bounced if they can’t deliver immediate results (victories, dollars, publicity). It’s a harsh reality that is not unique to this situation, nor the fault of this institution.
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new one
If you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’
GB got into the new road, and Josh Moon most certainly believes that Doug can deliver in both arenas: victories/dollars/publicity and development. Gotta love the swing. Now let’s see how it goes. Go Phoenix! #Rise
