Florida basketball coach Todd Golden acknowledged an ongoing faculty inquiry Saturday and mentioned he’s contemplating “defamation claims,” presumably towards his accusers.
“For the final month, I’ve actively participated in and revered the confidentiality of an ongoing faculty inquiry,” Golden mentioned in a press release posted on X. “I’ve not too long ago engaged (lawyer) Ken Turkel to advise me on my means to deliver defamation claims whereas this confidential investigation is ongoing.
“My household and I respect the assist now we have obtained and stay assured the college will proceed its efforts to complete its overview promptly.”
Golden’s assertion got here sooner or later after the Impartial Florida Alligator reported the college was investigating Golden for allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking and cyberstalking a number of ladies, together with college students.
In line with the student-run newspaper, the claims embody undesirable sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors and sending images and movies of his genitalia. The newspaper primarily based its report on a Title IX criticism filed towards Golden on Sept. 27.
Golden led Florida’s on-campus observe Saturday in preparation for Monday night time’s residence recreation towards Grambling State. Golden is anticipated to teach the Twenty first-ranked Gators (2-0) in that one.
The Related Press requested a duplicate of the criticism from the college. Beneath federal regulation, faculties can’t touch upon and even affirm any Title IX inquiries, complaints or investigations.
On multiple event, the paper mentioned, Golden allegedly took images of girls strolling or driving and despatched these footage to the topics concerned. Alleged stalking incidents additionally included Golden, a married father of two younger boys, exhibiting as much as places the place he knew the ladies could be.
The 39-year-old Golden signed a two-year contract extension in March that included a $1 million elevate and introduced his yearly wage to $4 million. The deal places Golden below contract by 2030.
Golden is 42-29 in two-plus seasons in Gainesville and has his deepest and most gifted roster in his three years.
That is the third set of significant allegations towards a head coach throughout athletic director Scott Stricklin’s eight-year tenure.
Stricklin allowed ladies’s basketball coach Cam Newbauer to resign in 2021 amid allegations he verbally, bodily and mentally abused gamers and workers members. Newbauer obtained a $283,250 buyout that was paid in installments.
Lower than a 12 months later, Stricklin fired ladies’s soccer coach Tony Amato amid an investigation into the coach’s feedback and habits concerning gamers’ consuming habits and physique shapes. Amato was fired with out trigger one 12 months right into a six-year contract, leaving the Gators on the hook for roughly $1.125 million.
Stricklin additionally has been below fireplace for 2 NCAA investigations: the primary one in 2020 landed the Gators on probation for the primary time in 30 years and led to a present trigger for then-football coach Dan Mullen; the second concerned former quarterback signee Jaden Rashada and a failed title, picture and likeness price practically $14 million. Rashada is now suing Florida soccer coach Billy Napier and a distinguished booster.
