Todd Golden releases statement amid allegations, Title IX complaint
Gators men’s basketball coach Todd Golden released a statement Saturday amid sexual harassment and stalking allegations against him in a University of Florida Title IX complaint.
Golden said he has consulted with an attorney regarding pursuing defamation claims.
“For the last month, I have actively participated in and respected the confidentiality of an ongoing school inquiry,” Golden wrote on X. “I have recently engaged Ken Turkel to advise me on my ability to bring defamation claims while this confidential investigation is ongoing. My family and I appreciate the support we have received and remain confident the university will continue its efforts to finish its review promptly.”
Golden is expected to coach the team’s next game on Monday against Grambling State. He’s facing allegations of sexual harassment and stalking multiple women, according to a report from The Alligator.
The UF student newspaper obtained documents from a formal complaint filed with the University of Florida Title IX office on Sept. 27, alleging that Golden engaged in conduct that could violate the UF Gender Equity Policy.
In order to comply with federal law, UF can’t comment on or confirm any Title IX inquiries, complaints or investigations, per a school spokesperson.
The allegations in the investigation are sexual harassment and sexual exploitation, including unwanted sexual advances, requesting sexual favors and sending photos of his genitalia, according to the Alligator’s report.
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The Title IX complaint also alleges various occasions of stalking and cyberstalking, including repeatedly liking and unliking and following and unfollowing multiple women to get their attention, including UF students.
Two women, both former UF students, spoke with the Alligator and were quoted anonymously. Their comments in the report accuse Golden of sending unsolicited photos of his genitalia while the team was traveling, “aggressive Instagram stalking” and stalking them in person.
Golden, 39, is in his third season at Florida and has a 42-29 record so far. He led the Gators to 24 wins last season, the program’s most since 2016-17, including their first SEC Tournament championship game since 2014 and their first NCAA Tournament in three years.
He was hired in March 2022 on a six-year deal worth $18 million after leading San Francisco to its first NCAA Tournament in 24 years. Golden received a pay raise and contract extension in March, raising Golden’s annual salary by over a million dollars to $4.1 per year. His new deal runs through the 2029-30 season.
