Todd Golden is the head coach of the University of Florida’s men’s basketball team, known as the Florida Gators. Born on July 7, 1985, in Phoenix, Arizona, he has had a notable career both as a player and a coach.
Playing Career:
- College: Golden played as a guard for the Saint Mary’s College of California Gaels from 2004 to 2008. Over his collegiate career, he averaged 5.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. In his senior year, he ranked second nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio and graduated as the Gaels’ all-time leader in free-throw percentage.
- Professional: After college, Golden played professionally for Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli Basketball Premier League from 2008 to 2010, participating in 22 games and averaging 2.2 points per game.
Coaching Career:
- Early Coaching: Golden began his coaching career as the director of basketball operations at Columbia University, later advancing to assistant coach. He also held a position at Auburn University under coach Bruce Pearl, initially as director of basketball operations and subsequently as an assistant coach.
- San Francisco: In 2019, Golden became the head coach of the University of San Francisco men’s basketball team. In his first season, he led the Dons to a 22–12 record and a fifth-place finish in the West Coast Conference. The 2021–22 season was particularly successful, with the team achieving a 24–10 record and earning an NCAA tournament berth—the program’s first since 1998.
- Florida: Golden was appointed as the head coach of the Florida Gators in March 2022, succeeding Mike White. In his second season (2023–24), he guided the team to a 24–12 record, including a runner-up finish in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament. The Gators received a seven seed in the 2024 NCAA tournament but narrowly lost to Colorado in the first round, 102–100.
Recent Developments:
In November 2024, Golden faced allegations of sexual harassment and stalking involving multiple women. The University of Florida conducted a thorough Title IX investigation, which concluded in January 2025 with no evidence found to support the allegations. The investigation involved numerous interviews and a comprehensive review, ultimately clearing Golden of any wrongdoing.
Personal Life:
Golden is married to Megan York, a former volleyball player at Saint Mary’s College. He holds dual citizenship with the United States and Israel.