On Doug Gottlieb and Inexperience

I felt the need to collect some thoughts on the head coaching search at OSU and specifically Doug Gottlieb’s candidacy. I hope you enjoy and know we can all rap back and forth about it in the comment section.

The number one issue the Doug detractors identify with is his inexperience as a head coach. I’m not going to argue that point. There is no argument. Personally, I think it is a concern — but not an automatic disqualifier.

I’m a little surprised it’s become such a big deal, actually. The intricacies of a head coach’s job would also be a big leap for any assistant coach who has never done it. If Doug was the tenured lead assistant at KU, we wouldn’t care about his lack of head coaching experience. I’m not saying he wouldn’t have some more experience with the role, but it’s a step not a chasm.

Even if you could write a book about all that a head coach’s schedule it entails, that does not mean you could do it. Just because you can lead a mid-major program, doesn’t mean you can coach at the Div. I level. It doesn’t mean you can’t.

You either can or you can’t. I’m not saying Gottlieb is a shoe-in, but are we sure OSU is getting a shoe-in? Your shoe-in had Champaign dreams that apparently didn’t jive with Mike Holder’s craft beer budget (shout out to COOP).

Is Gottlieb’s experience (or lack thereof) something Mike Holder needs to consider? Absolutely. He’s not doing his due diligence if he doesn’t examine all the candidates and all their strengths and weaknesses. But if he’s not looking at the other reasons to hire Gottlieb because of that — especially within the unfortunate situation he and Oklahoma State find themselves — he’s short-selling the process and any perceived scrupulousness on his part is a farce.

Why do people want Doug? Mostly, emotion. He’s a familiar face who’s been an ambassador for the university since he left Stillwater. He’s a connection to a time in OSU basketball we all want to get back to. But just because he tugs a heart string or two doesn’t mean he’s not a serious candidate.

On the other hand, it doesn’t mean he is either.