The University of Florida dismissed its Title IX investigation into Florida men’s basketball head coach Todd Golden, according to a statement released by Golden’s attorney William Shepherd.
The investigation found no evidence to support the allegations of sexual harassment and stalking that were levied against Golden in a Title IX complaint filed on Sept. 27.
“The University of Florida takes these matters seriously and works deliberately to ensure that due process is upheld for everyone,” UF spokesperson Steve Orlando said in a statement to The Alligator. “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. The Title IX office has closed its investigation.”
Golden remained on UF’s sideline throughout the four-month long investigation. The UAA acknowledged the completion of the investigation Monday morning in a statement provided to The Alligator.
“Throughout this process Coach Golden has demonstrated tremendous focus and professionalism, and we commend him for that,” a UAA spokesperson said. “As the Gators move forward, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting a championship experience with integrity.”
Golden also released a statement on social media thanking the UAA and Gator fans for their support during the investigation.
“The last several months have been a challenge for my family and me while this process dragged on,” he wrote. “The UAA and so many at the University have been tremendously supportive - my family and I are extremely grateful.”
The UF head coach was accused of sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and stalking, according to obtained Title IX documents. In the filed complaint, Golden was accused of making unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors, sending unwanted images of his genitalia and taking photos of women walking that he would then send to them.
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division defines Title IX as protecting “students from sexual harassment in educational programs or activities operated by recipients of federal funding.”
One of the complaints in the Title IX case against Golden came from a student in a partnership program with the UF, according to the student’s attorney, Karen Truszkowski.
The investigation into Golden came amid UF men’s basketball’s most successful season in nearly a decade with Florida consistently resting in the top 10 of the AP Poll. UF will face two teams currently ranked in the top 10, No. 6 Tennessee and No. 1 Auburn, in the next two weeks.
“Now that this is concluded, Coach [Golden] can continue to focus on the basketball season and consider his legal options in the offseason,” Golden’s attorney, Shepherd, said.
While Golden’s Title IX investigation has concluded, a Florida athletics department employee filed a sexual assault complaint against Florida assistant coach Taurean Green Jan. 14, according to an ESPN report.
Contact Noah White at nwhite@alligator.org. Follow him on X @noahwhite1782.
Noah is a Spring 2025 Assistant Sports Editor and Copy Desk Chief. He's a second-year journalism major who enjoys reading and shamefully rooting for Tennessee sports teams. He is also a Liberty League Women's Soccer expert.
