University of Florida Basketball Coach Todd Golden Accused of Sexual Harassment

University of Florida’s Florida head basketball coach, Todd Golden, has been accused by an undefined number of women of sexual harassment and stalking, according to information obtained by the University’s student newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator.

Complaint Received

The University of Florida received a formal Title IX complaint about Golden in September, alleging that he engaged in conduct that potentially violated Florida’s Gender Equity Policy. The complaint states that for over a year, Golden allegedly sexually exploited, harassed, and stalked female UF students. His specific behavior included sending photos and videos of his genitalia, unwanted Instagram advances, and requests for sexual favors. Some of these acts included taking photos of women in public settings and sending those photos to the women in question. The document also accuses Golden of showing up at places where he knew the women would be.

To comply with federal law, the University could not comment on or confirm any Title IX inquiries, complaints, or investigations, as stated by an FU spokesperson. In addition, the men’s basketball coaching staff didn’t respond to questions by The Alligator’staff before publication of the story. There are also allegations that Florida Special Assistant Ralphie Ferrari and FU Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics Jonathan Safir were aware of Golden’s misconduct and did not speak up about the alleged offenses. The two were not mentioned in the Title IX complaint. When asked for comment, neither man responded.

Testimony Statements

One woman who came forward stated. “At first, it starts off slow, like, ‘Oh, wow. That’s odd. This guy is showing us attention,’” the first woman said. “And then it becomes, ‘Wow, he’s kind of crossing a line. No, he didn’t mean it that way.’ Then it’s, ‘Wait, he’s fully stepping over that line.’ And then it’s, ‘Wow, there’s a picture of his genitalia. It was a full grooming process with all of us.”

And a second woman came forward with similar allegations. “He told numerous women that they were “his drug” or “his good luck charm. He just had this manipulation tactic over everyone,” she said. “And he sent us all the same sh*t. It was copy-paste to every girl.”

Finally

Todd Golden is in his third year coaching Florida. His record is 42-29 at the UF, taking the Gators to the NCAA men’s tournament in 2024. Before taking the Florida post, he coached previously for three seasons at San Francisco, which he guided to the NCAA tournament in 2022. He was also an assistant at Columbia and Auburn.  Golden played basketball collegiately at Saint Mary’s College of California. He then played two years professionally with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. Golden is married to Megan York, who starred in Volleyball for four seasons at St. Mary’s