Florida coach Todd Golden will run the squad in Monday night time’s dwelling recreation in opposition to Grambling State regardless of being underneath investigation by the varsity for sexual harassment, stalking and different misconduct.
The varsity informed media retailers on Sunday that there was no change in Golden’s employment standing.
“Todd Golden’s standing as UF males’s basketball coach has not modified. He can be teaching the sport Monday night time,” a faculty spokesman informed ESPN.
Golden launched a press release Saturday that acknowledged the investigation and mentioned he has been in contact with legal professional Ken Turkel and contemplating submitting a defamation swimsuit.
“For the final month, I’ve actively participated in and revered the confidentiality of an ongoing college inquiry,” Golden wrote on social media. “I’ve not too long ago engaged (legal professional) Ken Turkel to advise me on my capability to convey defamation claims whereas this confidential investigation is ongoing. My household and I recognize the assist we’ve got acquired and stay assured the college will proceed its efforts to complete its assessment promptly.”
The Alligator, a Florida scholar publication, cited Title IX paperwork filed on Sept. 27 that mentioned Golden has been accused of potential violations of the varsity’s Gender Fairness Coverage. They embrace acts of sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and the stalking of Florida college students over the previous 12 months.
Per the report, Golden despatched “photographs and movies of his genitalia whereas touring for UF,” used social media to make sexual advances and request sexual favors, and stalked ladies. He’s alleged to have taken photographs of ladies, then ship the images to them, and likewise of constructing visits to locations the place he knew he might discover those self same ladies.
The Alligator interviewed two ladies who mentioned they’d complained about Golden, and so they corroborated the Title IX paperwork.
They mentioned Golden had adopted, then unfollowed, quite a few ladies on social media to keep away from suspicion, and considered one of them mentioned his attain to ladies was huge. He informed many ladies they had been “his drug” or “his good luck attraction” earlier than video games, she mentioned.
“He simply had this manipulation tactic over everybody,” the girl informed The Alligator. “And he despatched us all the identical (messages). It was copy-paste to each woman.”
Golden, 39, was employed March 18, 2022, because the twentieth head coach in Gators historical past. He got here from San Francisco, the place he led the Dons to a 57-36 file over three seasons, together with a pair of 20-win seasons and their first NCAA Match bid in additional than twenty years.
Final season, in his second marketing campaign with the Gators, Golden led the staff to 24 wins, a No. 7 seed within the NCAA Match, and the SEC event championship recreation for the primary time since 2014.
After the season, Golden signed an extension that runs via the 2029-30 season.
The No. 21 Gators are 2-0 on the season.
Golden is married and the daddy of a younger son and daughter.
–Area Stage Media
