GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida males’s basketball coach Todd Golden acknowledged an ongoing college inquiry Saturday and mentioned he was contemplating “defamation claims,” presumably in opposition to his accusers.
“For the final month, I’ve actively participated in and revered the confidentiality of an ongoing college inquiry,” Golden mentioned in a press release posted on X. “I’ve just lately engaged [attorney] Ken Turkel to advise me on my skill to convey defamation claims whereas this confidential investigation is ongoing.
“My household and I recognize the help we now have acquired and stay assured the college will proceed its efforts to complete its evaluation promptly.”
Golden’s assertion got here sooner or later after a Title IX criticism, of which a replica was obtained by ESPN, confirmed the college was investigating Golden for allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking and cyberstalking a number of ladies, together with college students.
pic.twitter.com/p0gJXNFtFf
— Todd Golden (@CoachToddGolden) November 9, 2024
In line with the Title IX criticism, which was filed in opposition to Golden on Sept. 27, the allegations embrace undesirable sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors and sending photographs and movies of his genitalia.
Golden led Florida’s on-campus observe Saturday in preparation for Monday evening’s dwelling recreation in opposition to Grambling State. Golden was anticipated to educate the Twenty first-ranked Gators (2-0) in that one.
On multiple event, the Title IX criticism mentioned, Golden allegedly took photographs of ladies strolling or driving and despatched these footage to the topics concerned. Alleged stalking incidents additionally included Golden, a married father of two younger boys, exhibiting as much as places the place he knew the ladies can be.
Golden, 39, signed a two-year contract extension in March that included a $1 million elevate and introduced his annual wage to $4 million. The deal places Golden below contract by 2030.
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Golden is 42-29 in two-plus seasons in Gainesville and has his deepest and most gifted roster in his three years.
That is the third set of great allegations in opposition to a head coach throughout athletic director Scott Stricklin’s eight-year tenure.
Stricklin allowed ladies’s basketball coach Cam Newbauer to resign in 2021 amid allegations he verbally, bodily and mentally abused gamers and workers members. Newbauer acquired a $283,250 buyout that was paid in installments.
Lower than a yr later, Stricklin fired ladies’s soccer coach Tony Amato amid an investigation into the coach’s feedback and habits relating to the consuming habits and physique shapes of gamers. Amato was fired with out trigger one yr right into a six-year contract, leaving the Gators on the hook for roughly $1.125 million.
Stricklin additionally has been below hearth for 2 NCAA investigations: the primary one in 2020 landed the Gators on probation for the primary time in 30 years and led to a present trigger for then-football coach Dan Mullen; the second concerned former quarterback signee Jaden Rashada and a failed identify, picture and likeness price almost $14 million. Rashada is now suing Florida soccer coach Billy Napier and a outstanding booster.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
