| π Image Golden in 2025 | |
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Florida |
| Conference | SEC |
| Record | 103β41 (.715) |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | (1985-07-07) July 7, 1985 (age 40) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 2004β2008 | Saint Mary's |
| 2008β2010 | Maccabi Haifa |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2012β2014 | Columbia (assistant) |
| 2014β2016 | Auburn (assistant) |
| 2016β2019 | San Francisco (associate) |
| 2019β2022 | San Francisco |
| 2022βpresent | Florida |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 160β77 (.675) |
| Tournaments | 7β3 (NCAA Division I) 0β1 (NIT) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Awards | |
| SEC Coach of the Year (2026) | |
Todd Raymond Golden (born July 7, 1985) is an Israeli-American college basketball coach. He is the current head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team. During the 2024β25 season, Golden led the Gators to a 36β4 record and the national championship.
Early life and education
[edit]Golden is from Phoenix, Arizona, and graduated from Sunnyslope High School in 2003.[1] Golden played basketball and baseball at Sunnyslope and helped them win the 2002 Arizona 4A state championship in basketball, scoring 6 of their 62 points in a 62β61 victory.[2]
In 2003, Golden enrolled at Saint Mary's College of California, where he played guard for the Saint Mary's Gaels from 2004 to 2008. The Gaels would make appearances in the 2005 and 2008 NCAA Tournaments during his career, though he did not appear in their sole 2005 NCAA tournament game, a 65β56 loss to Southern Illinois.[2][3] Golden played a total of 109 games with 82 starts, averaging 5.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.[3] During his senior season of 2007β08, he ranked second in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio, and graduated as the Gaels' all-time leader in free-throw percentage (83.2%) before the record was broken by Matthew Dellavedova.[4]
Professional basketball career
[edit]From 2008 to 2010, Golden played for Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli Basketball Premier League.[5] In two seasons with Maccabi Haifa, Golden played in 22 games and averaged 2.2 points.[6] Golden also competed in the 2009 Maccabiah Games with the USA Open Team.[4]
Coaching career
[edit]After working in the private sector in advertising sales once his playing career was over, Golden entered the college coaching ranks, joining Kyle Smith's staff at Columbia University, first as director of basketball operations, then as an assistant coach.[7][8] He then took a director of basketball operations position at Auburn under Bruce Pearl, his coach during the 2009 Maccabiah Games.[9] Golden rose to assistant coach with the Tigers in his final season, before reuniting with Smith at San Francisco.
San Francisco
[edit]On April 1, 2019, Golden was officially introduced as the 20th men's basketball coach in Dons history, replacing Smith who departed for Washington State.[10][11]
In his first season as head coach, Golden led San Francisco to a 22β12 record (9β7 in conference play) and a fifth-place finish in the WCC. The Dons' season was ended with an 81β77 loss to Gonzaga in the WCC tournament semifinals.
In 2020β21, the Dons took a step back from the year prior, amassing an 11β14 record (4β9 in conference play) and finishing eighth in the WCC. On November 27, 2020, the Dons defeated No. 4 ranked Virginia 61β60, Virginia's first loss to a non-major opponent since their 2018 NCAA Tournament loss to 16-seeded UMBC.
The 2021β22 season was the most successful of Golden's tenure, achieving a 24β10 (10β6 in conference play) record, and qualifying for the NCAA tournament, the program's first appearance since 1998. They lost in overtime 92β87 to Murray State in the first round. The program's 24 wins represented their highest mark since winning 25 games during the 1981β82 season.
Florida
[edit]On March 18, 2022, Golden was announced as the next men's basketball coach at Florida, following the departure of Mike White to Georgia.[12][13] His contract with the school is for six years, worth $18 million over the life of the contract.
In 2022β23, Golden's first as head coach, Florida finished 8th in the SEC with a 9β9 record, including a 67β54 win over then #2 Tennessee,[14] but ultimately finished with a losing 16β17 record after consecutive first-round exits in the SEC tournament and NIT to close the season.[15]
Florida amassed a 24β12 record in 2023β24 (11β7 in conference play), including a run to the championship game of the SEC Tournament, where they were ultimately beaten by Auburn. For their season they were awarded a seven seed in the 2024 NCAA tournament, but lost their first-round game to Colorado, 102β100. This team's 24 wins were the most by a Gators team since 2017.[16][17]
The 2024β25 team under Golden finished the season with a 36β4 record, winning the SEC and NCAA tournaments. This marked the Gators' first national title since 2007.[18] Golden was named a finalist for Naismith Coach of the Year.[19] On May 6, 2025, Florida gave Golden a six-year, $40.5 million contract extension, making him at the time one of the five-highest paid college coaches.[20]
Misconduct allegations
[edit]In November 2024, it was reported by various news outlets that Golden had been accused of sexual harassment and stalking by an unconfirmed number of women, including students, and became the subject of a Title IX investigation with the University of Florida.[21][22] The complaint alleged that Golden sent illicit photos and stalked women to various locations.[23] Golden released a statement regarding the allegations, noting that he has sought legal counsel to bring potential defamation claims against undisclosed involved parties.[24]
On January 27, 2025, the University of Florida announced that they concluded their investigation of Golden, finding no evidence of any Title IX violations after a βthorough investigation that included dozens of interviews."[25][26][27]
Personal life
[edit]Golden is Jewish, and is a dual citizen of the United States and Israel. He is married to former Saint Mary's volleyball player Megan York, with whom he has two children.[4][28]
Head coaching record
[edit]| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Dons (West Coast Conference) (2019β2022) | ||||||||
| 2019β20 | San Francisco | 22β12 | 9β7 | 5th | ||||
| 2020β21 | San Francisco | 11β14 | 4β9 | 8th | ||||
| 2021β22 | San Francisco | 24β10 | 10β6 | 4th | NCAA Division I Round of 64 | |||
| San Francisco: | 57β36 (.613) | 23β22 (.511) | ||||||
| Florida Gators (Southeastern Conference) (2022βpresent) | ||||||||
| 2022β23 | Florida | 16β17 | 9β9 | 8th | NIT First Round | |||
| 2023β24 | Florida | 24β12 | 11β7 | 6th | NCAA Division I Round of 64 | |||
| 2024β25 | Florida | 36β4 | 14β4 | 2nd | NCAA Division I Champion | |||
| 2025β26 | Florida | 27β8 | 16β2 | 1st | NCAA Division I Round of 32 | |||
| Florida: | 103β41 (.715) | 50β22 (.694) | ||||||
| Total: | 160β77 (.675) | |||||||
|
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
| ||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ "UF's Todd Golden, Auburn's Bruce Pearl bound by basketball and their Jewish faith". February 9, 2024.
- ^ a b "Todd Golden". Saint Mary's College of California. Archived from the original on April 10, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
- ^ a b "Todd Golden College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ a b c "Todd Golden". University of San Francisco. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
- ^ "Todd Golden Signs Professional Contract to Play With Maccabi Haifa Heat". SMC California Athletics. August 8, 2008.
- ^ "Todd Golden". Israel Basketball Super League. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
- ^ "Auburn's Todd Golden 'won't quit and won't lose'". AuburnUndercover & ITAT.
- ^ "Todd Golden - Men's Basketball Coach". Columbia University Athletics.
- ^ "Pearl hires Golden". AuburnUndercover & ITAT.
- ^ "MBB - Golden Formally Introduced as 20th Head Coach". University of San Francisco Athletics. April 2019.
- ^ Kroner, Steve (April 2, 2019). "USF introduces Todd Golden as head coach; Bill Cartwright joining program". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
- ^ "Todd Golden Named Florida Men's Basketball Head Coach".
- ^ Salvador, Joseph (March 13, 2022). "Sources: Georgia Poaching Major SEC Men's Basketball Coach". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ "Florida 67β54 Tennessee (Feb 1, 2023) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ "2022-23 Florida Gators Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ "2023-24 Florida Gators Men's Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ "Florida Gators Men's Basketball Index". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ "Florida downs Houston in thriller, captures first title since 2007". NCAA.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ "Florida basketball coach Todd Golden named Naismith COY Finalist". Sports.Yahoo.com. March 14, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- ^ "Gators, Golden agree to 6-year, $40.5M extension". ESPN.com. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ "UF basketball coach accused of sexual harassment and stalking". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ "Gators' Golden facing Title IX stalking inquiry". ESPN.com. November 8, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ^ "Todd Golden investigation: What to know about Florida coach's case as Gators win national title game". CBS Sports. April 8, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ^ Long, Mark (November 9, 2024). "Florida basketball coach Todd Golden acknowledges school investigation and considers defamation suit". AP News. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ "UF closes inquiry into Golden stalking allegations". ESPN.com. January 27, 2025. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ "Florida coach Todd Golden cleared in Title IX investigation regarding stalking allegations". WTOP News. January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ Meyer, Craig. "Todd Golden investigation: A look at allegations against Florida coach in dismissed Title IX complaint". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ Long, Mark (November 12, 2024). "Florida coach Todd Golden calls past days 'challenging' after Title IX inquiry goes public". WPEC. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
External links
[edit]- 1985 births
- Living people
- American expatriate basketball people in Israel
- American men's basketball coaches
- American men's basketball players
- Auburn Tigers men's basketball coaches
- Basketball coaches from Arizona
- Basketball players from Phoenix, Arizona
- College men's basketball head coaches in the United States
- Columbia Lions men's basketball coaches
- Florida Gators men's basketball coaches
- Israeli Basketball Premier League players
- Jewish American basketball coaches
- Jewish American basketball players
- Jews from Arizona
- Maccabiah Games basketball players for the United States
- Maccabi Haifa B.C. players
- Saint Mary's Gaels men's basketball players
- San Francisco Dons men's basketball coaches
- Sportspeople from Phoenix, Arizona
