Florida coach Todd Golden cleared in Title IX investigation regarding stalking allegations
4 min readThe University of Florida has cleared men’s basketball coach Todd Golden after a four-month investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and stalking. The investigation, which was conducted under Title IX, concluded with the school announcing that no evidence had been found to substantiate the claims.
In a statement released on Monday, the university confirmed that the investigation had been concluded. “The University of Florida takes these matters seriously and works deliberately to ensure that due process is upheld for everyone,” said university spokesperson Steve Orlando. He further stated that the investigation, which included dozens of interviews, had found no evidence that Golden violated Title IX. As a result, the Title IX office has closed its inquiry into the matter.
This news comes amid a strong season for the Florida Gators, with the team achieving an 18-2 record in their first 20 games, their best start in a decade. Golden, in his third season as head coach, had previously avoided commenting on the allegations out of respect for the investigation process but had also hinted at potential legal action against the accusers.
Golden had expressed frustration over the confidentiality breaches related to the Title IX process, calling out the way the system was being used publicly. “I am just frustrated and disappointed that a Title IX mechanism that is created to protect both sides during a situation like this — that confidentiality and privacy continues to be abused,” Golden said after an assistant coach, Taurean Green, faced separate sexual assault allegations.
Throughout the investigation, Golden’s employer, the University Athletic Association (UAA), expressed support for the coach. The UAA acknowledged the completion of the investigation and reiterated their commitment to conducting such reviews with discretion. “Coach Golden has demonstrated tremendous focus and professionalism,” the UAA statement said. “We reaffirm our commitment to promoting a championship experience with integrity.”
The allegations against Golden, first reported by The Independent Florida Alligator, involved accusations from two individuals who claimed that Golden sent explicit photos and videos of his genitalia, made unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, and requested sexual favors. The accusations were made public in early November 2024, prompting the investigation.
Title IX is a federal law that protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in education programs, including prohibiting sexual harassment. In 2023, the University of Florida began outsourcing its Title IX investigations to a private firm, Grand River Solutions, based in California.
Golden addressed the challenges he and his family faced during the investigation process. “The last several months have been a challenge for my family and me while this process dragged on,” he said in a statement on social media. “We asked for the public to allow this process to work through to its conclusion and not rush to judgment based on allegations.” Golden thanked the UAA for their support and expressed gratitude for the fanbase’s backing during the investigation.
The 39-year-old Golden, who was awarded a two-year contract extension last March, now earns a salary of $4 million annually under a deal that runs through the 2029-30 season. The terms of Golden’s contract explicitly prohibit “romantic, amorous and/or sexual relationships between any coach or other employee of the Association and any student-athlete or other person under their supervision.” It also states that disciplinary action can be taken if a coach’s actions have an adverse impact on the reputation of the athletic department or university.
While the investigation into Golden has concluded, a separate Title IX case involving assistant coach Taurean Green is still ongoing. Green, who won NCAA championships as a player with Florida in 2006 and 2007, is accused of attempting to sexually assault an athletic department employee in March 2024. The woman came forward after Title IX investigators looking into Golden’s case interviewed her regarding his interactions with female athletes. She told ESPN that she had not reported the incident initially due to Green’s status within the department.
As the investigation into Green continues, Florida’s men’s basketball program is looking to move past these distractions as they continue their successful season under the leadership of Todd Golden. The Gators will aim to maintain their momentum and finish strong in SEC play.
Despite the challenges, the team has shown resilience, with Golden continuing to lead Florida toward a potential NCAA tournament bid. However, the ongoing scrutiny over the two Title IX cases has added a layer of complexity to the program’s operations.
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