After earning his master's degree in physical education from Columbia University, Gottlieb was named an assistant to coach Jack Hartman at Kansas State in 1971.
[11] Gottlieb inherited a team which was a national power at the time[6] but which stood to be sanctioned by the NCAA for recruiting violations.
For that reason, Jacksonville's first choice for the job, Howie Landa, resigned two days after having been hired as the head coach earlier that same offseason.
[12] He resigned following the 1974–75 season, however; Gottlieb had sought a three-year contract extension from Jacksonville but was offered only one additional year.
[13] He compiled a 62–70 record (.470) in five seasons as coach of the Panthers,[12] a transitioning NCAA Division I Independent at the time.
[citation needed] After spending a year in the business world, Gottlieb and Jessie Evans were hired as assistant coaches under Tex Winter at Long Beach State.