Todd Golden

{{Infobox college coach

| name = Todd Golden

| image = Todd Golden (54536733352).jpg

| alt =

| caption = Golden in 2025

| current_title = Head coach

| current_team = Florida

| current_conference = SEC

| current_record = {{winpct|76|33|record=y}}

| contract =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|7|7}}

| birth_place = Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| alma_mater =

| player_years1 = 2004–2008

| player_team1 = Saint Mary's

| player_years2 = 2008–2010

| player_team2 = Maccabi Haifa

| coach_years1 = 2012–2014

| coach_team1 = Columbia (assistant)

| coach_years2 = 2014–2016

| coach_team2 = Auburn (assistant)

| coach_years3 = 2016–2019

| coach_team3 = San Francisco (associate)

| coach_years4 = 2019–2022

| coach_team4 = San Francisco

| coach_years5 = 2022–present

| coach_team5 = Florida

| overall_record = {{winpct|133|69|record=y}}

| bowl_record =

| tournament_record = 6–2 (NCAA Division I)
0–1 (NIT)

| championships = {{Plainlist|

}}

| awards =

| coaching_records =

}}

Todd Raymond Golden (born July 7, 1985) is an Israeli-American college basketball coach who is the current head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team. In the 2024–25 season, Golden led the Gators to a 36–4 record and the national championship.

Early life and education

Golden is from Phoenix, Arizona, and graduated from Sunnyslope High School in 2003.[https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/02/09/florida-mens-basketball-todd-golden-auburn-tigers-bruce-pearl-jewish/] 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 62–61 victory.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410104850/http://smcgaels.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/golden_todd00.html|archivedate=April 10, 2008|title=Todd Golden|url=http://smcgaels.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/golden_todd00.html|publisher=Saint Mary's College of California|accessdate=March 19, 2022|url-status=dead}}

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 65–56 loss to Southern Illinois.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/todd-golden-1.html|title=Todd Golden College Stats|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com}} Golden played a total of 109 games with 82 starts, averaging 5.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. During his senior season of 2007–08, 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.{{cite web|url=https://usfdons.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/todd-golden/869|title=Todd Golden|publisher=University of San Francisco |accessdate=March 20, 2022}}

Pro basketball career

From 2008 to 2010, Golden played for Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli Basketball Premier League.{{cite web|url=http://smcgaels.com/news/2008/8/8/Todd_Golden_Signs_Professional_Contract_to_Play_With_Maccabi_Haifa_Heat.aspx|title=Todd Golden Signs Professional Contract to Play With Maccabi Haifa Heat|website=SMC California Athletics}} In two seasons with Maccabi Haifa, Golden played in 22 games and averaged 2.2 points.{{cite web|url=https://basket.co.il/player.asp?PlayerId=8882&lang=en|title=Todd Golden|publisher=Israel Basketball Super League|accessdate=March 20, 2022}} Golden also competed in the 2009 Maccabiah Games with the USA Open Team.

Coaching career

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.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/auburn/Article/Auburns-Todd-Golden-wont-quit-and-wont-lose-37710524/|title=Auburn's Todd Golden 'won't quit and won't lose'|website=AuburnUndercover & ITAT}}{{cite web|url=https://gocolumbialions.com/coaches.aspx?path=mbball&rc=884|title=Todd Golden - Men's Basketball Coach|website=Columbia University Athletics}} He then took a director of basketball operations position at Auburn under Bruce Pearl, his coach during the 2009 Maccabiah Games.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/auburn/Article/Bruce-Pearl-adds-Todd-Golden-to-Auburn-staff-186293/|title=Pearl hires Golden|website=AuburnUndercover & ITAT}} Golden rose to assistant coach with the Tigers in his final season, before reuniting with Smith at San Francisco.

= San Francisco =

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.{{cite web|url=https://usfdons.com/news/2019/4/1/mens-basketball-mbb-golden-formally-introduced-as-20th-head-coach.aspx|title=MBB - Golden Formally Introduced as 20th Head Coach|website=University of San Francisco Athletics}}{{cite web|last=Kroner|first=Steve|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/collegesports/article/USF-introduces-Todd-Golden-as-head-coach-Bill-13733202.php|title=USF introduces Todd Golden as head coach; Bill Cartwright joining program|date=April 2, 2019|website=San Francisco Chronicle|accessdate=March 20, 2022}}

In his first season as head coach, Golden led San Francisco to a 22–12 record (9–7 in conference play) and a fifth-place finish in the WCC. The Dons' season was ended with an 81–77 loss to Gonzaga in the WCC tournament semifinals.

In 2020–21, the Dons took a step back from the year prior, amassing an 11–14 record (4–9 in conference play) and finishing eighth in the WCC. On November 27, 2020, the Dons defeated No. 4 ranked Virginia 61–60, Virginia's first loss to a non-major opponent since their 2018 NCAA Tournament loss to 16-seeded UMBC.

The 2021–22 season was the most successful of Golden's tenure, achieving a 24–10 (10–6 in conference play) record, and qualifying for the NCAA tournament, the program's first appearance since 1998. They lost in overtime 92–87 to Murray State in the first round. The program's 24 wins represented their highest mark since winning 25 games during the 1981–82 season.

= Florida =

File:Todd Golden at a photoshoot ahead of the 2025 Final Four in San Antonio.jpg in San Antonio]]

On March 18, 2022, Golden was announced as the next men's basketball coach at Florida, following the departure of Mike White to Georgia.{{Cite web|url=https://floridagators.com/news/2022/3/18/mens-basketball-todd-golden-named-florida-mens-basketball-head-coach.aspx|title=Todd Golden Named Florida Men's Basketball Head Coach}}{{Cite web |last=Salvador |first=Joseph |title=Sources: Georgia Poaching Major SEC Men’s Basketball Coach |url=https://www.si.com/college/2022/03/13/georgia-will-hire-mike-white-as-new-head-coach |access-date=June 30, 2022 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}} His contract with the school is for six years, worth $18 million over the life of the contract.

In 2022-23, Golden's first as head coach, Florida finished 8th in the SEC with a 9-9 record, including a 67-54 win over then #2 Tennessee,{{Cite web |title=Florida 67-54 Tennessee (Feb 1, 2023) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401484590/tennessee-florida |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=ESPN |language=en}} but ultimately finished with a losing 16-17 record after consecutive first-round exits in the SEC tournament and NIT to close the season. {{Cite web |title=2022-23 Florida Gators Men's Roster and Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/florida/men/2023.html |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}

Florida amassed a 24-12 record in 2023-24 (11-7 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, 102-100. This team's 24 wins were the most by a Gators team since 2017. {{Cite web |title=2023-24 Florida Gators Men's Roster and Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/florida/men/2024.html |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Florida Gators Men's Basketball Index |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/florida/men/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}

The 2024-2025 team under Golden finished the season with a 36-4 record, winning the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. This marked the Gators' first national title since 2007. {{Cite web |title=Florida downs Houston in thriller, captures first title since 2007 |url=https://www.ncaa.com/live-updates/basketball-men/d1/florida-downs-houston-thriller-captures-first-title-2007 |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=NCAA.com |language=en}} Golden was named a finalist for Naismith Coach of the Year. {{Cite web |title=Florida basketball coach Todd Golden named Naismith COY Finalist |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/article/florida-basketball-coach-todd-golden-165555601.html |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Sports.Yahoo.com |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-06 |title=Gators, Golden agree to 6-year, $40.5M extension |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/45025060/gators-reach-405m-extension-basketball-coach-todd-golden |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

== Misconduct allegations ==

On November 8, 2024, The Independent Florida Alligator reported that Golden had been accused of sexual harassment and stalking of an unconfirmed number of women, specifically gearing towards University of Florida students.{{Cite web |title=UF basketball coach accused of sexual harassment and stalking |url=https://www.alligator.org/article/2024/11/uf-basketball-coach-accused-of-sexual-harassment-and-stalking |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=The Independent Florida Alligator |language=en-US}} On November 9, Golden released a statement regarding the allegations, noting that he has sought legal counsel to bring potential defamation claims against undisclosed involved parties.{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Mark |date=2024-11-09 |title=Florida basketball coach Todd Golden acknowledges school investigation and considers defamation suit |url=https://apnews.com/article/todd-golden-florida-gators-sexual-harassment-8d23e656e643a80a718929cbe44cede3 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=AP News |language=en}}

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 “thorough investigation that included dozens of interviews," though noting that this was only a determination of whether alleged misconduct occurred in his capacity as an employee of the university, not whether the allegations were true.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-27 |title=UF closes inquiry into Golden stalking allegations |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/43585673/florida-coach-todd-golden-cleared-title-ix-investigation |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-27 |title=Florida coach Todd Golden cleared in Title IX investigation regarding stalking allegations |url=https://wtop.com/ncaa-basketball/2025/01/florida-coach-todd-golden-cleared-in-title-ix-investigation-regarding-stalking-allegations/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=WTOP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=Craig |title=Todd Golden investigation: A look at allegations against Florida coach in dismissed Title IX complaint |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/sports/college/florida-gators/2025/04/05/todd-golden-investigation-allegations-title-ix-florida-basketball-final-four-taurean-green/82879265007/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Gainesville Sun |language=en-US}}

Personal life

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.{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Mark |date=2024-11-12 |title=Florida coach Todd Golden calls past days 'challenging' after Title IX inquiry goes public |url=https://cbs12.com/sports/content/florida-coach-todd-golden-calls-past-days-challenging-after-title-ix-inquiry-goes-public-november-12-2024 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=WPEC |language=en}}

Head coaching record

{{CBB Yearly Record Start|type=coach|conference =|postseason=|poll=both}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead

| name =San Francisco Dons

| conference=West Coast Conference

| startyear =2019

| endyear =2022

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship=

| season= 2019–20

| name= San Francisco

| overall= 22–12

| conference= 9–7

| confstanding= 5th

| postseason=

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship=

| season= 2020–21

| name= San Francisco

| overall= 11–14

| conference= 4–9

| confstanding= 8th

| postseason=

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship=

| season= 2021–22

| name= San Francisco

| overall= 24–10

| conference= 10–6

| confstanding= 4th

| postseason= NCAA Division I Round of 64

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = San Francisco

| overall = {{winpct|57|36|record=y}}

| confrecord = {{winpct|23|22|record=y}}

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead

| name =Florida Gators

| conference=Southeastern Conference

| startyear =2022

| endyear =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship=

| season= 2022–23

| name= Florida

| overall= 16–17

| conference= 9–9

| confstanding= 8th

| postseason= NIT First Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship=

| season= 2023–24

| name= Florida

| overall= 24–12

| conference= 11–7

| confstanding= 6th

| postseason= NCAA Division I Round of 64

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship= national

| season= 2024–25

| name= Florida

| overall= 36–4

| conference= 14–4

| confstanding= 2nd

| postseason= NCAA Division I Champion

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Florida

| overall = {{winpct|76|33|record=y}}

| confrecord = {{winpct|34|20|record=y}}

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record End

| overall = {{winpct|133|69|record=y}}

| legend =

}}

References

External links

[https://floridagators.com/staff-directory/todd-golden/3026 Florida Gators profile]
[https://usfdons.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/todd-golden/869 San Francisco Dons profile]
[https://gocolumbialions.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/todd-golden/884 Columbia Lions profile]

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Category:1985 births

Category:Living people

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Israel

Category:American men's basketball coaches

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Auburn Tigers men's basketball coaches

Category:Basketball coaches from Arizona

Category:Basketball players from Phoenix, Arizona

Category:College men's basketball head coaches in the United States

Category:Columbia Lions men's basketball coaches