This post has been updated with new information
Florida men’s basketball coach Todd Golden is facing serious and disturbing allegations of sexual harassment and stalking towards Florida students, according to Title IX documents obtained by The Alligator, the school’s student newspaper.
There’s a lot going on here and much of it involves allegations of concerning behavior. Jack Meyer and Max Tucker of The Alligator report the school received a formal Title IX complaint against Golden, 39, on September 27.
Here’s a look at everything we know so far as the story develops.
What are the specific allegations against Golden?
The formal Title IX complaint against Golden obtained by The Alligator includes allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and stalking. The complaint alleges that over a year, Golden specifically aimed these behaviors toward UF students.
The claims regarding sexual harassment, which could also include sexual exploitation, cited sending photos and videos of his genitalia while traveling for UF, unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors, and various occasions of stalking.
The outlet further reports allegations that Golden used Instagram as a tool to stalk and harass women, including showing up to locations where he knew they were located as well as liking and unliking old photos in order to connect through direct messages.
The Alligator spoke with two alleged victims, both former UF students, who corroborated various patterns and actions allegedly used by Golden.
Again, per The Alligator:
The first woman, a former UF student, said that Golden stalked her in person, both in his car and on foot, and that this occurred “more than 10 times.” On one occasion, she said she posted her location on her Instagram story, and Golden messaged her shortly after saying that he was in the area “waiting for [her].”
She also said Golden sent unsolicited photos of his genitalia to her. On multiple occasions, the first woman said she received the photos while the team was traveling on the road. The nature of Golden’s alleged stalking became more assertive over time, she said.
What have Golden and Florida Athletics said about the allegations?
So far nothing, and it’s likely to stay that way now that a Title IX claim has been filed. A UF spokesperson told The Alligator the school is unable to confirm or comment on any Title IX inquiries in accordance with federal law.
However, ESPN reported the school is under no obligation to abstain from comment:
Title IX is regulated by the U.S. Department of Education. ESPN confirmed with federal education officials Friday that a school can disclose whether an employee has been accused of sexual harassment in a Title IX complaint if such disclosure is required under another federal or state law.
Florida’s state public records law would determine what the school has to release, and Michael Barfield, director of public access with the Florida Center of Government Accountability, wrote that he wasn’t aware of “any statutory exemption under Florida law that shields Title IX complaints as a public record.” Even if some information is exempt, he wrote, it would not allow officials to withhold the entire document.
Golden coached No. 21 Florida to wins over South Florida and Jacksonville this week to open the season 2-0.
Update: Golden posted a statement on Saturday afternoon
— Todd Golden (@CoachToddGolden) November 9, 2024
Who is Todd Golden?
The 39-year-old married father of two is a Phoenix, Arizona native who played collegiately at St. Mary’s before a short pro stint with Maccabi Haifa in Israel from 2008-10.
He returned to the college level as an assistant for Columbia in 2012 before joining Bruce Pearl’s Auburn program in a similar capacity from 2014-2016. Golden left the Tigers to join San Francisco as an associate head coach under Kyle Smith before taking over as head coach in 2019 when Smith left for Washington State.
At San Francisco, Golden went 57–36 and reached the NCAA Tournament in his third season. Following a first round loss in 2022, Golden was hired to replace Mike White at Florida.
Now in his third year with the Gators, Golden is 42–29 and received a two-year contract extension last March to keep him in Gainesville through 2029-30.
Haven’t there been a number of harassment claims against Florida coaches lately?
Sadly, yes. This is now the third major case of misconduct under Athletic Director Scott Stricklin in Gainesville.
Stricklin forced women’s basketball coach Cam Newbauer to resign in 2021 amid allegations he verbally, physically and mentally abused players and staff members.
Less than a year later, Stricklin fired women’s soccer coach Tony Amato amid an investigation into the coach’s comments and behavior regarding players’ eating habits and body shapes.
The Gators’ men’s basketball team is scheduled to play next on Monday at home against Grambling.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available
