Bruce Pearl comments on report Florida will hire former assistant Todd Golden

According to multiple reports on Friday, the Florida Gators are zeroing in on Todd Golden to become the team’s next head men’s basketball coach. Golden, who previously worked under Pearl at Auburn from 2014 through 2016, is currently the coach of the San Francisco Dons. Following Auburn’s victory over Jacksonville State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Pearl was asked about the Golden reports.

Pearl said that he wasn’t sure if he could answer that question, but he did add that he loves Golden like part of his family. Golden was part of Pearl’s first staff at Auburn, initially joining as director of basketball operations. He then became an assistant coach.

“I’d love to answer that. I don’t know if I should, unless it’s been announced,” Pearl said, via Al.com’s Tom Green… “I love Todd. I love him like a son.”

Golden just led San Francisco to the NCAA Tournament, but the 10th-seeded Dons were bounced in the first round by 7th-seeded Murray State.

Florida is reportedly zeroing in on Golden

With San Francisco out of the NCAA Tournament now, things are expected to move quickly between Golden and Florida, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

“Sources: Florida is targeting San Francisco coach Todd Golden to be the school’s next basketball coach,” Thamel tweeted. “Expect things to move quickly with San Francisco’s season over after losing in the NCAA tournament on Thursday night.”

Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports also reported that Florida is focusing on Golden in its search for a new coach.

“Sources: Florida is zeroed in on San Francisco’s Todd Golden to be its next head basketball coach,” said Rothstein.

In addition to his time at Auburn under Pearl, Golden has had multiple other stops as an assistant coach. He first worked at Columbia as an assistant from 2012 until 2014, before heading to Auburn. Then, Golden was hired as an assistant at San Francisco, and he served in that role from 2017 through 2019. Golden was then promoted to San Francisco’s head coach, and he has been in that role ever since.

If Golden is hired by Florida’ he’ll replace former head coach Mike White, who left for the Georgia job. White led the Gators to a 19-13 record this season, and Florida made the postseason NIT Tournament. In each of the four years prior, Florida made the NCAA Tournament.