Florida Basketball Coach Todd Golden Addresses Accusations He Sexually Harassed and Stalked Female Students

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:James Gilbert/Getty

James Gilbert/Getty

Todd Golden made his first public appearance on Monday night, four days after allegations surfaced accusing the University of Florida head basketball coach of sexual harassment, exploitation and stalking involving multiple female students.

Golden, 39, was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd at the start of the game at the O’Connell Center in Gainesville. After the 20th-ranked Gators cruised to an 86-62 win against Grambling State, the coach addressed reporters about the allegations — and the university’s subsequent investigation of them.

“What’s personally getting me through this right now?” Golden said. “Respecting the situation, my family, my team, my coaching staff. We’re just continuing to attack it like we normally would every day.”

Golden added, “Obviously, in this situation, due process and to continue to support guys, and I just would hope that they would allow the process to take place and see where it ends up,” he said.

The Independent Florida Alligatorreported on Friday, Nov. 8 that Golden was the subject of a Title IX complaint, filed on Sept. 27.

The complaint claims that Golden made unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requested sexual favors and sent photos and videos of his genitalia to multiple women, the newspaper reported.

Goldenissued his own statement on Xover the weekend, first acknowledging the situation.

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“For the last month, I have actively participated in and respected the confidentiality of an ongoing school inquiry," Golden wrote. “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.”

On Monday night, Golden’s wife Megan and two young sons sat behind the Florida bench,ESPN reported.

“Again, I know what’s going on. I know the situation,” Golden said. “Our staff’s done a great job. Our guys have done a good job. We’ve spent a lot of time together over the last couple days and continue to prepare for what we have in front of us, which was this game tonight and what will be Florida State on Friday.”

source: people.com