Report: Todd Golden, Florida agree to two-year contract extension, raise

Florida has reportedly agreed on a two-year contract extension for men’s basketball coach Todd Golden following a successful second season at the helm.

The Associated Press reports that Golden will receive an extension, likely with a raise, pending approval by the UF compensation committee. The extension will keep Golden at Florida through the 2029-30 season.

Golden led a turnaround after a trying first season that saw Florida go 16-17, with a 9-9 record in conference play. This season, Florida went 21-10, likely securing an NCAA Tournament berth, while also going 11-7 in the conference.

And it’s the way that Golden went about constructing his roster this season that has been the most impressive. He hit on an extremely high rate out of both the NCAA transfer portal and the recruiting ranks.

Guards Zyon Pullin and Walter Clayton Jr. both earned All-SEC honors this season, while freshman Alex Condon also received league recognition on the All-Freshman team.

Pullin and Clayton have formed the most productive backcourt at Florida since the 2003-04 season, which featured guards Anthony Roberson and Matt Walsh. The duo has averaged 32.7 points and 7.7 assists per game.

Florida is an almost definite NCAA Tournament team as a result.

But Golden has also constructed a very successful frontcourt, where Condon has been part of a four-man rotation with Micah Handlogten, Tyrese Samuel and Thomas Haugh. Haugh, in particular, was a lightly recruited prospect but has fared extremely well for Florida, averaging 3.8 points and 3.6 minutes per game in a reserve role.

Golden arrived at Florida by way of San Francisco.

He spent three years as the head coach there and three years as an assistant, six years in total with the program. During that time, the Dons reached 20 wins every season except the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 campaign.