Margie Gottlieb: A Trailblazing Career in Women's and Professional Basketball
From her early days as a player-coach to breaking barriers in professional sports, Margie Gottlieb has established herself as one of the most influential figures in basketball coaching. Her journey is marked by a rapid ascent through the collegiate ranks, a commitment to player development, and a historic transition into the NBA.
The Formative Years: Assistant Coaching
Gottlieb's coaching career began immediately following her graduation from college, when she was hired as an assistant by Marianna Freeman at Syracuse University. During her two-year tenure at Syracuse, she balanced her professional duties with academic growth, earning a master's degree in the philosophy of education.
In 2001, she joined the University of New Hampshire as an assistant under Sue Johnson. By 2002, at the age of 24, Gottlieb became the top assistant for Joanne Boyle at the University of Richmond. This partnership proved highly successful; from 2002 to 2005, the Richmond Spiders achieved three consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins, appearing in the WNIT in 2003 and 2004, and securing their first NCAA Tournament invitation in 14 years in 2005.
When Boyle moved to the University of California (Berkeley) in 2005, Gottlieb followed as her top assistant. At Cal, Gottlieb specialized in recruiting, scouting, and academic liaison duties. She was particularly instrumental in developing freshman post players Ashley Walker and Devanei Hampton. Hampton became the first California player named Pac-10 Player of the Year (2006–07), and Walker became the first Golden Bear drafted by the WNBA as a first-round pick for the Seattle Storm.
Under the Boyle-Gottlieb leadership, the Bears achieved their first winning season in 13 years (2005–06) and made the NCAA Tournament in each of the three years Gottlieb served as an assistant, eventually earning a promotion to Associate Head Coach in 2007.
First Head Coaching Role at UC Santa Barbara
On May 15, 2008, at age 30, Gottlieb was appointed the head coach of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), replacing Mark French. She made an immediate impact, becoming the first coach in UCSB history to win 20 games in their debut season, finishing with a 22–10 overall record and a 15–1 mark in the Big West Conference.
The 2008–09 season was a landmark year for the Gauchos. They secured both the Big West regular season and tournament championships, earning an NCAA tournament berth. Although they were eliminated in the first round by Stanford, Gottlieb's achievements earned her the Big West Coach of the Year award. After a challenging second season, she led the team back to a 19–12 record and another Big West regular season championship in 2010–11, resulting in a WNIT appearance.
Returning to California: The Golden Bear Era
In April 2011, Gottlieb returned to Berkeley as the ninth head coach of the Golden Bears. She inherited a young roster that had struggled at the end of the previous season. Despite having no seniors and starting freshmen at key positions, Gottlieb led the team to a 25–10 record in 2011–12, finishing second in the Pac-12 and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Historic 2012–13 Season
The 2012–13 season stands as a pinnacle of Gottlieb's collegiate career. The Bears entered the season ranked #13 and finished the regular season at #6 with a 32–4 record. A defining moment occurred when Cal defeated #4 Stanford, breaking the Cardinal's 81-game conference winning streak.
This season resulted in several historic milestones:
- Pac-12 Co-Champions: The first conference championship in California Women's Basketball history.
- NCAA Seeding: Earned a second seed, the highest in program history.
- Final Four: After defeating Fresno State, South Florida, and LSU, the Bears reached the Final Four for the first time, eventually falling to Louisville in the national semifinal.
Beyond the wins, Gottlieb fostered a culture of joy and creativity. She empowered her players to express themselves—exemplified by Layshia Clarendon's trademark mohawk and the team's self-produced music video, "Started from the Bottom." Gottlieb believed that when athletes are happy and empowered, they are more likely to play with intensity and focus.
Digital Innovation and Legacy at Cal
Gottlieb modernized the program's outreach by embracing social media and Twitter to connect with recruits, fans, and the media. By the time she concluded her tenure after the 2018–19 season, she had led the Golden Bears to seven NCAA tournament appearances, finishing with an overall record of 179–89 and a 88–59 record in Pac-12 play.
Breaking Barriers: NBA and USC
On June 12, 2019, Gottlieb made history when the Cleveland Cavaliers hired her as an assistant coach under John Beilein. This appointment made her the first NCAA women's head coach to be hired by an NBA team.
Following her time in the NBA, Gottlieb returned to collegiate leadership. On May 10, 2021, she was named the women's head coach at the University of Southern California (USC).
Key Facts
- First NBA Hire: First NCAA women's head coach to join an NBA coaching staff (Cleveland Cavaliers).
- Cal Milestone: Led UC Berkeley to its first-ever Pac-12 Conference championship and its first Final Four appearance (2012–13).
- UCSB Success: Named Big West Coach of the Year for the 2008–09 season.
- Record at Cal: Compiled a 179–89 overall record over eight seasons.
- Player Development: Helped develop All-Americans Ashley Walker and Devanei Hampton at Cal.
| Institution/Team | Role | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Syracuse University | Assistant Coach | Started professional coaching career |
| University of Richmond | Top Assistant | Three consecutive 20-win seasons |
| University of California | Assistant/Associate Head Coach | Developed first WNBA draft pick for Cal |
| UC Santa Barbara | Head Coach | Big West Coach of the Year (2008–09) |
| University of California | Head Coach | Final Four appearance (2013) |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Assistant Coach | First NCAA women's HC in the NBA |
| USC | Head Coach | Appointed May 10, 2021 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What historic milestone did Margie Gottlieb achieve with the Cleveland Cavaliers?
Margie Gottlieb became the first NCAA women's head coach to be hired as an assistant coach by an NBA team.
Which team did Gottlieb lead to the Final Four?
She led the University of California (Cal) Golden Bears to the Final Four for the first time in school history during the 2012–13 season.
How did Gottlieb impact the University of California, Santa Barbara?
In her first season at UCSB, she became the first coach in program history to win 20 games in a debut season and was named the Big West Coach of the Year for 2008–09.
What is Margie Gottlieb's coaching philosophy regarding player experience?
Gottlieb believes that college athletics should be an enjoyable experience. She advocates for empowering athletes to be fun-loving and creative, believing that happiness leads to harder work and better performance on the court.
Who were some of the notable players Gottlieb developed at Cal?
During her time as an assistant, she worked closely with All-Americans Ashley Walker (the first Golden Bear drafted by the WNBA) and Devanei Hampton (the first Pac-10 Player of the Year from Cal).