Reaction to UF’s Todd Golden hiring from Dickie V, others

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Todd Golden was hired Friday as the next head coach of the Florida men’s basketball program.

Golden compiled a 57-36 record in three seasons at San Francisco, including 20-win seasons in 2019-20 and 2021-22.

His Dons went 24-10 this year, earning the program’s first NCAA tournament bid since 1998. Golden was also an assistant at Auburn for three years (2014-16) under Bruce Pearl.

Here was the reaction on social media Friday to Florida’s hiring of Golden.

Former coach and ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale:

The @GatorsMBK have a new coach as TODD GOLDEN from San Francisco has accepted the Florida job . He is a young rising star in coaching. @espnbob & I have done several of his games over the years in the @WCChoops tournament & he was very impressive .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 18, 2022

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, prior to the news:

Bruce Pearl on former assistant Todd Golden reportedly getting the Florida job: “I would love to talk about that. I love Todd, love him like a son.”

Pearl declines to go into detail until Golden is officially announced.
— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) March 18, 2022

Auburn assistant coach Steven Pearl:

HOMERUN HIRE!! So happy for my boy TG!! Gators got themselves a GREAT one!! https://t.co/6wrNzZSx0e
— Steven Pearl (@StevenPearl22) March 18, 2022

Former Auburn PR staffer Dan Froehlich:

Huge get for @ScottStricklin & @GatorsMBK! @CoachToddGolden always treated me with respect in our year together at #Auburn and I couldn’t be happier for him & his family! #GoGators https://t.co/z6FLRHdHB6
— Dan Froehlich (@DanTheMediaMan) March 19, 2022

Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney:

Todd Golden is young, confident and checks all the boxes ADs are looking for. Built a program at a difficult place to do it. Analytically savvy. Has recruited everywhere.

Is it a gamble at a plum job like Florida? Yes. But he has the chance to be one of the game’s biggest stars.
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) March 18, 2022

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie:

Think Todd Golden is going to be really, really good at Florida. Incredibly smart coach. Has the recruiting lay of the land there from his couple of years at Auburn under Bruce Pearl.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 18, 2022

Wager Talk’s Dave Cokin:

Todd Golden to Florida is a big win for the Gators.
— Dave Cokin (@davecokin) March 19, 2022

New Florida Gators coach Todd Golden:

I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead one of the nation's premier men's basketball programs. My family and I can't wait to get to Gainesville!! #GoGators https://t.co/ibhvN8Miwd
— Todd Golden (@CoachToddGolden) March 18, 2022

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