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

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Florida basketball coach Todd Golden is accused of sexually harassing, sexually exploiting, stalking and cyberstalking several 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, the 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 a Sept. 27 Title IX complaint against Golden that it said it had received.

The Associated Press contacted the university and requested a copy of the complaint. Under federal law, the school cannot comment on or even acknowledge Title IX inquiries, complaints or investigations. School officials declined to comment when reached by the AP. It was not immediately known whether Golden has a lawyer and he did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

On more than one occasion, the newspaper says, Golden allegedly took photos of women walking or driving and sent those images to the people involved. The alleged stalking incidents also included Golden, a married father of two young boys, showing up at places where he knew the women would be.

Golden, 39, signed a two-year contract extension in March that includes a $1 million raise. The additional two years give Golden a contract until 2030. His new contract is worth over $4 million per year.

Golden is 42-29 in two-plus seasons in Gainesville and has its deepest and most talented roster in three years. The 21st-ranked Gators (2-0) won each of 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 was verbally, physically and mentally abusive to players and staff.

Less than a year later, Stricklin fired women's soccer coach Tony Amato as part of an investigation into the coach's comments and behavior regarding players' eating habits and body shapes. Amato was released without explanation one year into a six-year contract, forcing the Gators to pay around $1.125 million.