Gottlieb Blasts Officiating After Technical Foul in Green Bay's Loss to Milwaukee

The head coach erupts over the 'exact same f—ing play' going against his squad in close Horizon League loss.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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After Green Bay's 75-72 loss to Milwaukee, head coach Doug Gottlieb was frustrated with the officiating, particularly a technical foul he received and a key foul call that he felt dramatically changed the trajectory of the game. Gottlieb argued that drives to the rim were officiated differently depending on the jersey, and he made clear his issue was not with Milwaukee's team or staff, but rather a lack of fairness in the officiating.

Why it matters

Gottlieb's strong reaction highlights the ongoing challenges with officiating in college basketball, where perceived unfair calls can significantly impact the outcome of close games. This incident raises questions about consistency and transparency in officiating, which are important issues for the sport.

The details

Gottlieb was upset about a technical foul he received, which he felt was unwarranted, as well as a foul call on Green Bay's CJ O'Hara that led to his fourth foul. Gottlieb argued that the same play was officiated differently at both ends of the court, with Milwaukee's drives to the rim being called as fouls while Green Bay's were not. He made it clear his issue was not with Milwaukee's team or staff, but rather the fairness of the officiating.

  • The technical foul on Gottlieb came during a stretch that he believes shifted the momentum of the game.
  • CJ O'Hara picked up his fourth foul shortly after the technical on Gottlieb, which Gottlieb said 'dramatically changed the trajectory of the game.'

The players

Doug Gottlieb

The head coach of the Green Bay men's basketball team who was frustrated with the officiating in the loss to Milwaukee.

CJ O'Hara

Green Bay's best defender who picked up his fourth foul at a critical juncture of the game.

Marcus Hall

The Green Bay player who scored 32 points on 10-of-15 shooting in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“I need the new commissioner of the Horizon League to explain to me what a technical foul is. When I don't leave the box, I don't curse. I'm not demonstrative. There was nothing that should have been called a technical foul. I know when I earned one. I did not earn one.”

— Doug Gottlieb, Head Coach, Green Bay (Sporting News)

“He is our best defender. He picked up his fourth foul collecting an offensive rebound when a guy falls into his legs. That dramatically changed the trajectory of the game.”

— Doug Gottlieb, Head Coach, Green Bay (Sporting News)

“You had the exact same play at both ends in the last play of the game. The exact same f—ing play. The exact same play.”

— Doug Gottlieb, Head Coach, Green Bay (Sporting News)

What’s next

The Horizon League commissioner is expected to review the officiating decisions from the game and provide an explanation to Gottlieb and the Green Bay program.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges with officiating consistency and transparency in college basketball, where perceived unfair calls can significantly impact the outcome of close games. Gottlieb's strong reaction underscores the need for better communication and accountability from officiating crews to maintain the integrity of the sport.