Doug Gottlieb, the head coach of Green Bay, is known for his confident and sometimes controversial remarks, but his latest comment has landed him in hot water. What was meant to be a bold prediction ended up being a spectacular misstep. After a stunning 72-70 loss to Michigan Tech, Gottlieb’s bravado quickly turned into a punchline, making him the laughingstock of the NCAA world.

According to a recent post by College Basketball Content, Gottlieb had referred to Michigan Tech as “Nobody U” before the game, dismissing the team as no serious threat.

He elaborated, saying, “Part of the reason I want to play better teams is, it’s 2 degrees outside and snowing. I don’t really like the idea of ‘Nobody U’ coming in here. I always say like, what do we learn from a game where we win by 20 [points]?” Gottlieb clearly believed his team was destined for an easy victory, expecting little challenge from the D2 school.

But Michigan Tech had other plans.

The numbers from the game tell the story of how Michigan Tech made Green Bay pay for its mistakes. Even though both teams shot similarly from the field—Michigan Tech at 41.7% and Green Bay at 41.4%—the real difference came in the hustle plays. Michigan Tech absolutely dominated the boards, hauling in 44 rebounds compared to Green Bay’s 27. That included a huge 13 offensive rebounds to Green Bay’s 5, giving Michigan Tech plenty of second-chance opportunities to keep the pressure on.

Turnovers? Another big factor. Green Bay coughed up the ball 13 times, while Michigan Tech stayed much more composed with just six turnovers. And they made it count, too. Green Bay managed 15 points off turnovers, but Michigan Tech turned those giveaways into a game-changing 20 fast-break points, compared to Green Bay’s meager 8. It’s clear—Michigan Tech didn’t just win the game, they outworked Green Bay when it mattered most.

This quick-paced style of play kept the game within reach for Michigan Tech, who were determined to show they were anything but a pushover. Needless to say, the result of his confidence wasn’t the prettiest sight.

Doug Gottlieb in crosshairs as fans on X hit back with sharp criticism

This loss, although a narrow one, brought much vitriol with it, especially as fans found his pre-game comments condescending. As one fan quipped, “Guy is a joke. Couldn’t coach a middle school team to a win.”

While Gottlieb’s attempt at humor fell flat, the scoreboard told a different story. Michigan Tech’s Marcus Tomashek delivered an electrifying performance, scoring 30 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Dawson Nordgaard’s 10 points complemented his efforts along with Ty Fernholz’s 3 three-pointers, which further sealed Green Bay’s fate.

Another fan stated what he considered impressive. “I’ll give him credit for one thing, though. Convincing Green Bay to let him run a radio show while coaching the basketball team at the same time.”

But with Green Bay’s record now standing at a dismal 2-11, some fans are calling for change. “Pretty fireable at this point IMO,” one X user remarked.

What made the loss even more bitter for Green Bay was the absence of their second-best scorer, Anthony Roy, who was sidelined and watching the game unfold with a walking boot in tow. Jeremiah Johnson tried to step up, finishing with 21 points and 15 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the team’s eighth consecutive defeat.

Fans were quick to highlight the irony of Gottlieb’s words. One particularly sharp comment read, “The HuskySTUDENT athletes average 3.57 GPA. It’s one of the top engineering schools in the country. Safe to say that the GB kids will work for the kids from ‘Nobody U’ down the road. Karma doesn’t rest @douggottlieb. Husky-UP!”

They didn’t stop there. One shared a personal anecdote, saying, “I met Gottlieb when I was in college in Oklahoma. Today’s loss couldn’t have happened to someone more deserving of it.” 

Ouch!

The loss has been a wake-up call for Green Bay and its embattled coach. Respecting opponents, regardless of their division, is a fundamental lesson in sports. Gottlieb’s dismissive attitude not only underestimated Michigan Tech but also fueled their determination.

In the end, Doug’s dismissive remarks about “Nobody U” backfired. And the basketball world quickly made him the subject of ridicule.

As his team fell short, it became clear that no game was ever a guaranteed win. Respecting opponents, regardless of their division, is a lesson that even the most confident coaches need to remember.