Florida basketball coach Todd Golden faces Title IX investigation for sexual harassment: report

Florida basketball coach Todd Golden is facing allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking and cyberstalking from multiple women, including students, over the past 12 months. According to a report published Friday in the school’s student newspaper..

According to the Independent Florida Alligator, allegations against Golden include unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requests for sexual favors and sending photos and videos of his genitals. The newspaper based its report on a copy of the Sept. 27 Title IX complaint against Golden that it said it obtained.

The Associated Press contacted the university to request a copy of the complaint. Under federal law, the school cannot comment on or even confirm any Title IX investigation, complaint, or investigation. School officials reached by the AP declined to comment. It was not immediately known whether Golden had legal representation, and he did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

The newspaper said Golden took photos of women walking or driving on more than one occasion and sent the photos to appropriate individuals. The alleged stalking included Golden, a married father of two sons, coming to places where he knew women would be.

Golden, 39, signed a two-year contract extension with a $1 million raise in March. The additional two years extends Golden’s contract through 2030. His new deal is worth $4 million annually.

Golden is 42-29 over two-plus seasons in Gainesville and has the deepest and most talented roster in the last three years. The 21st-ranked Gators (2-0) won their first two games by double digits.

This is the third series of serious allegations against a head coach during athletic director Scott Stricklin’s eight-year tenure.

Stricklin forced women’s basketball coach Cam Newbauer to resign in 2021 amid allegations that he verbally, physically and mentally abused players and staff.

Less than a year later, Stricklin fired women’s soccer coach Tony Amato amid an investigation into the coach’s behavior and comments regarding players’ eating habits and body shapes. Amato was fired without cause one year into his six-year contract, leaving the Gators on the hook for approximately $1.125 million.

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