“2 weeks before the season is savage”: UWGB HC Doug Gottlieb seemingly reacts to ESPN’s latest move involving RGIII

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay men’s basketball coach Doug Gottlieb has apparently reacted to the recent news surrounding ESPN. The media outlet fired NFL analysts Robert Griffin III and Samanta Ponder just two weeks before the season is set to begin.

It was reported on Thursday that ESPN was undergoing budget cuts and decided to let Griffin and Ponder go. It was a surprising move, and Gottlieb didn't hold back his thoughts as he took to social media to take aim at ESPN.

"Damn, firing football people 2 weeks before the season is savage," Doug Gottlieb posted on X.

Many people were indeed surprised that ESPN decided to do the firings so close to the 2024 football season. However, Griffin appeared to have no hard feelings as he took to social media to thank the network for everything.

"Thankful for so many people in my time at ESPN that helped me grow because they are some of the best in the business," Griffin's statement on X read. "There were so many awesome experiences and moments that my family and I will never forget from the last 3 years.

"What people sometimes fail to realize is none of this is possible without you guys, the FANS. So THANK YOU to everyone who has supported my family through my playing days and broadcast career so far."

Meanwhile, Ponder has yet to comment on social media on her dismissal from ESPN.

Robert Griffin and Samantha Ponder both reportedly made in the seven figures, according to The Athletic, as the outlet says Ponder was entering the final season of a three-year deal worth more than $3 million. Ponder served as the host of "Sunday NFL Countdown," while Griffin had two years remaining on his deal.

Doug Gottlieb leaves sports media industry for Green Bay HC job

Earlier this year, it was announced that the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay men's basketball team had hired sports media personality Doug Gottlieb as its next coach.

The news caught many by surprise because Gottlieb doesn't have any experience as a college basketball coach. However, he was on the staff for the United States team at the 2009 and 2017 Maccabiah Games, as he was an assistant under Bruce Pearl in 2009 and 2017.

Gottlieb has been a media personality for over two decades and worked at ESPN, CBS and Fox Sports. He did play college basketball as a point guard at Oklahoma State and led the nation in assists in two years.

Doug Gottlieb will continue his radio show on Fox Sports while he is the coach of Green Bay.