Why OSU Should Not Hire Doug Gottlieb

Ed. note: We don’t live in mid-1930s Germany. This blog is not going to only be a vehicle for pro-Doug Gottlieb as OSU’s next coach propaganda. I realize there’s another side to it and I’m glad that Kyle B. decided to tackle it.

WHY DO YOU HATE DOUG?!

That’s the question I’m most asked as to my reasoning behind my only semi-serious #KeepDougatCBS backdoor campaign.

Now that Travis Ford is no longer the head coach, Oklahoma State could go in a number of different directions for their next ball coach. But we’re here to talk about Doug Gottlieb. CBS sports analyst. Oklahoma State alumnus. And a beloved one, at that.

As a fan, I’m not close-minded about Doug Gottlieb as the next head coach. I’ve been a big fan of his since his collegiate days. In fact, I even got his autograph as a youngster. And I can assure you it wasn’t because of his free-throw shooting skills.

Gottlieb’s obviously a brilliant basketball mind. He’s been a CBS basketball guru for years because he knows his stuff. But the lack of coaching experience is still glaring.

On one hand, there’s a chance that Doug Gottlieb becomes the next Mayor of Gallagher Iba and reinvigorates the program. I’ll admit, the parallels with Fred Hoiberg and Doug Gottlieb are strikingly similar. And as a fan, would I want that?

Abso-freaking-lutely. If Gottlieb came in and won 115 games in five years like the Mayor, I’d gladly eat crow.

But I’m also a realist.

Whoever comes in next year, will have to take over a program that just finished ninth place in the Big 12 and finished with 20 losses on the year. Assuming the entire roster is still intact, that’s still quite a stretch to see a DRASTIC improvement from a horrific injury-riddled season.

So what about the current players and signees? Athletic director Mike Holder has stated that keeping the roster intact to give the next man up a shot.

“I gave every [player and recruit] my cellphone in case they get nervous or they’re hearing rumors,” said Holder. “I can’t overemphasize how important it is to keep those kids involved committed and together as one unit going forward.”

And he’s acknowledged he wants to find someone that will give them a chance to win. Not down the line .. but right now.

“Someone that’s done it at a high level and is a proven winner that’s ideally been a head coach at some point in time,” said Holder about his ideal candidate on Saturday.

How does that conversation look like to Jawun Evans if you decide to hire Doug Gottlieb? Saying you want to win right away, and then taking what is no doubt a risk in hiring a basketball analyst to be the head coach … what does that say to the players, recruits?

As a fan and what some of you may know me as “KB” or “Kyle B.” on PFB, I can’t help but be a little skeptical of what Doug coming home would look like. And even though Holder’s wife is a fan, I can’t help but think Holder is skeptical, too.

He should be. He needs to find a big hire after a tumultuous eight-year tenure of Travis Ford. Can he afford to take a risk in Doug Gottlieb?

“I think it’s important for us to be rational about how we approach this,” said Holder. “Would he be considered? Why not? But I think the kicker for him is that you’ve got to get over the fact that he’s never coached a game. That’s huge.”

Smart money is on an experienced, proven candidate. And you can guess who that may rule out if that’s at the top of the criteria for Mike Holder and Co.