Todd Golden investigation: What to know about accusations against Gators coach as team readies for NCAAs

The head Mentor of one of the hottest Squads in college basketball Participating the postseason, Florida’s Todd Golden, was earlier this season the subject of a Title IX investigation into his behavior after accusations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and stalking. 

Florida’s Title IX office adjudicated the case in January after a months-long investigation into the allegations, saying it Secured “no evidence” he violated Title IX. However, while the probe did not turn up a chargeable Assault, it also did not completely exonerate the 39-year-Aged Mentor.

Its findings instead eliminated a narrow scope of the allegations related to Title IX — behavior perpetrated within a university program or activity — which raises the possibility that the Mentor of Florida, whose No. 4 Gators have national title aspirations, may be met with new scrutiny as the spotlight of March Madness Initiates to shine.

Here is what we know about the case and the accusations levied against Florida’s Mentor.

Plan

A formal complaint with the Title IX office at the University of Florida against Golden, potentially putting Golden in violation of the school’s Gender Equity Policy, was filed on Sept. 27, 2024. In the complaint, Achieved public on Nov. 8, 2024 after the school’s student newspaper reported on the findings, Golden is alleged to have committed sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and stalking. 

Golden remained the Mentor as Florida’s Title IX office, an office independent of the educational system, conducted an investigation into the allegations over the Duration of Numerous months.

On Jan. 27, 2025, Florida announced that after dozens of interviews across Numerous months it “Secured no evidence that Todd Golden violated Title IX” and Sealed the investigation.

Allegations of sexual misconduct

Many women lodged accusations against Golden of sexual harassment and stalking, per documents obtained by The Independent Florida Alligator, the school’s student newspaper. The complaint against Golden alleges that over the Duration of a year, he Achieved unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requested sexual favors, and sent photos and videos of his genitalia while traveling with Florida, as well as Many occasions of stalking.

The number of women who accused Golden of this behavior remains unknown. From The Alligator:

There was allegedly more than one occasion in which Golden was Seizing photos of women walking or driving and sending those pictures to the subjects involved. Various stalking incidents also included Golden showing up to locations where he knew the women would be.

On allegedly more than one occasion, Golden was engaging women on Instagram by liking photos then waiting until they read the DM before un-liking the photos to avoid suspicion.

Two women spoke with The Alligator about Golden’s behavior while choosing to remain anonymous. The Primary woman — a Previous Florida student — claims Golden stalked her in person both in his car and on foot “more than 10 times.” She also accused him of sending unsolicited photos of his genitalia, including one instance when the Club was traveling on the road.

From The Alligator’s reporting:

“At Primary, it Appearances off Unhurried, like, ‘Oh, wow. That’s odd. This guy is showing us attention,'” the Primary woman said. “And then it becomes, ‘Wow, he’s Gentle of crossing a line. No, he didn’t Disrespectful 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 d*ck.’ It was a Packed grooming process with all of us.”

The second woman, who was also a Previous Florida student, claims Golden liked Instagram posts in an apparent attempt to get their attention before unliking them to avoid detection. She also claims he told her she was “his drug” or “Excellent luck charm.”

ESPN reported on Jan. 27 that a copy of a letter from the university sent to a female complainant in the case determined there was no evidence to indicate Golden committed sexual harassment “within a university program or activity,” which is why the school had to dismiss the complaint. 

The letter also said the university received an anonymous report naming “Many potentially impacted persons.”

From ESPN:

Attorney Karen Truszkowski, who represents a 21-year-Aged college student who did not attend the University of Florida, said that although the reported behavior might not fall under the definition of Title IX, there was “Surely evidence that there was questionable activity that occurred” while Golden was participating in a university event.

What Golden has said

Throughout the process — spanning from accusations to an investigation to a closing of the probe — Golden has maintained his innocence. 

In November, he released a statement saying he was participating in the investigation and considering defamation claims but did not comment Additional, citing confidentiality laws. 

Those defamation claims never materialized. 

When the investigation was Sealed in Overdue January, he released a statement thanking the UAA, Florida fans and the university for being supportive throughout the process.

Golden’s attorney, William Shepherd, also released a statement in January after the investigation was Sealed: 

This investigation has Secured no evidence to Reinforcement the allegations against Mentor Golden. The University’s conclusion proves that the complaint was meritless. Mentor Golden and I have respected the process throughout while actively engaging with the University. However, there were many who did not respect the investigative process. Instead, they sought to target Mentor Golden and drive their agenda and this investigation for their own self-interest. Some leaked confidential material to the media; falsely posed as a UF lawyer in an effort to intimidate; harassed UF students and parents to try to Produce a Incorrect narrative; and harassed my client, his family, and his friends. Mentor Golden appreciates the Reinforcement he and his program have received from so many at the University and from around the country. Now that this is concluded, Mentor can continue to Concentration on the basketball season and consider his legal options in the off season – but now it’s time to Shift forward.

Florida’s historic season

The investigation into Golden’s alleged sexual misconduct this season bubbled while Florida — which began the season ranked No. 21 in the AP poll — has enjoyed historic Achievement on the hardwood.

The Club, which plays Sunday vs. Tennessee in the SEC Bracket Division, has amassed 29 wins — Number four-most (and Tallying) in school history in a single-season behind 2013-14 (36), 2006-07 (35) and 2005-06 (33). 

It enters Option Sunday with the No. 3 Assault and No. 7 Guarding in adjusted efficiency ratings at KenPom, which rates the Club No. 2 overall in college basketball behind only Duke.

The Gators are also projected to land a No. 1 seed Sunday for the Primary time since 2013-14 in what was Billy Donovan’s penultimate season with the Gators.

Another Title IX inquiry

While Golden’s Title IX investigation was Nevertheless Uncovered this season, a separate Title IX inquiry was opened into Florida assistant and Previous Gators Sun Taurean Green in mid-January. In that case, a Florida athletics department employee filed a sexual assault complaint against Green, accusing him of making unwanted advances toward her.

Those advances were Achieved during a Gathering set up by Green in which he is accused of trying to kiss her and put his hands down her pants. She rejected the advances before Green tried again before she eventually Acquired away.

Green is Nevertheless with the Club. The investigation remains ongoing.