Several women have come forward alleging that Todd Golden, the men’s basketball coach at Florida, sexually harassed female students, according to a report by the university’s student newspaper, The Alligator, on Friday.
The Alligator, referencing Title IX documents filed on September 27, stated that Golden has been accused of potential violations of the school’s Gender Equity Policy. These allegations include acts of sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, and stalking of Florida students over the past year.
A spokesperson for the university declined to comment to the student press, and as of early Friday afternoon, the university had not issued a statement. The report claims that Golden sent “photos and videos of his genitalia while traveling for UF,” used social media to make sexual advances and request sexual favors, and stalked women. It is also alleged that he took photos of women and sent them the pictures, as well as visiting places where he knew he could find those same women.
The Alligator interviewed two women who confirmed they had filed complaints against Golden, corroborating the Title IX documents. They stated that Golden had followed and then unfollowed numerous women on social media to avoid suspicion. One of the women said his reach to women was extensive, often telling them they were “his drug” or “his good luck charm” before games.
“He just had this manipulation tactic over everyone,” one woman told The Alligator. “And he sent us all the same [messages]. It was copy-paste to every girl.”
Golden, 39, was hired on March 18, 2022, as the 20th head coach in Gators history. He previously coached at San Francisco, where he led the Dons to a 57-36 record over three seasons, including two 20-win seasons and their first NCAA tournament bid in over two decades. Before San Francisco, he worked under coach Bruce Pearl at Auburn.
Last season, in his second campaign with the Gators, Golden led the team to 24 wins, a No. 7 seed in the NCAA tournament, and the SEC tournament championship game for the first time since 2014. The No. 21 Gators are currently 2-0 on the season and will next host Grambling State on Monday.
Golden is married and the father of a young son and daughter.
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