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Florida clears coach Todd Golden in Title IX investigation

Derek Peterson

By Derek Peterson

Published:


Florida has closed its Title IX investigation into men’s basketball coach Todd Golden after the school found no evidence to support allegations of sexual harassment.

A statement from Golden’s attorney, William Shepherd, was provided to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander on Monday, saying the investigation was “finally” dismissed and that Florida concluded the complaint was meritless. The investigation into Golden began following a formal complaint to UF’s Title IX office on Sept. 27. It alleged Golden had violated the university’s Gender Equity Policy.

“Coach Golden and I have respected the process throughout while actively engaging with the University,” the statement from Golden’s attorney read. “However, there were many who did not respect the investigative process. Instead, they sought to target Coach 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; harrassed (sic.) UF students and parents to try to generate a false narrative; and harassed my client, his family, and his friends.”

Last November, UF’s independent student newspaper, The Alligator, published a report detailing accusations from an “undefined number” of women that Golden sexually harassed and stalked UF students for over a year.

A day after The Alligator’s report was published, Golden issued a statement saying he had been “actively” participating in the school’s investigation into the matter for a month. “(I) remain confident the university will continue its efforts to finish its review promptly,” he said at the time.

The school reiterated that Golden’s status as the head basketball coach had not changed and that he would continue to coach the team. Florida has opened the 2024-25 season 18-2 and currently sits third in the SEC standings.

“After a thorough investigation that included dozens of interviews over the past months, the University of Florida has found no evidence that Todd Golden violated Title IX,” UF spokesperson Steve Orlando said in a statement provided to The Orlando Sentinel. “The Title IX office has closed its investigation.”

Golden recently called into question the school’s Title IX process after a separate investigation into men’s basketball assistant coach Taurean Green was reported on by ESPN.

“I simply want to say that I support my staff and I would suggest people do not rush to judgment based off a headline,” Golden said when asked about the investigation into Green. “For me, I am just frustrated and disappointed that a Title IX mechanism that is created to protect both sides during a situation like this — that confidentiality and privacy continues to be abused. So, as frustrating and as disappointing and as hard as it is to do, I am going to do what I think I need to do and continue to respect the process, as I have. As always, I will continue to respect and appreciate the support for my family and our program at this time.”

During that same press availability, Golden was asked if he felt ashamed of anything he or his staff had done during his three-year tenure at Florida. Golden responded sharply, “No.”

“Perception is perception. It is not reality,” Golden said. “I am in this program every day. I see how our staff acts. I see how our players act. I am proud of what we’ve done since we’ve got here. And that’s all I can do is keep my head up and keep working.”

Days after The Alligator’s report, Florida hosted Grambling at home and Golden received a warm reception when he was introduced to the crowd at Exactech Arena.

“Coach Golden appreciates the support he and his program have received from so many at the University and from around the country,” the statement from his attorney read in closing. “Now that this is concluded, Coach can continue to focus on the basketball season and consider his legal options in the offseason — but now it’s time to move forward.”

Derek Peterson

Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.

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