Doug Gottlieb Compares Himself To Bernie Sanders

This Doug Gottlieb comparison is hilarious and crazy, but it’s also kind of right. After campaigning heavily for the Oklahoma State head coaching job (much of which came on this very site), Gottlieb told Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World recently that he’s disappointed he didn’t get the gig but that he understands why.

The comp was amazing.

“There probably aren’t more than 5 percent of all athletic directors who would take that chance,” Gottlieb told the Tulsa World. “The reason it hasn’t happened is because it’s different. Athletic directors tend to do things the way they’ve always been done.

“Looking back, considering that there were influential people who supported me, and there seemed to be pretty good support (within the fan base), I felt like, ‘OK, that was interesting. We did something there.’ It was sort of like a Bernie Sanders thing. You’re 74 years old and you’re from Vermont. Vermont? And you give the Hillary Clinton machine a run for its money? That was pretty cool.”

The comparison starts to break down when you consider that Brad Underwood has to be Hillary Clinton, but still!

Gottlieb doesn’t seem bitter about not getting the gig — he always knew it was a long shot. He said he would support and help Underwood in any way he could. “Be a good soldier” is the phrase I believe he’s used in the past. It’s a terrific interview with Haisten, and you should read the entire thing.