Florida coach Todd Golden warmly received prior to win against Grambling State

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Embattled Florida men’s basketball coach Todd Golden took the sideline Monday night and received a warm reception from the O’Connell Center crowd.

Golden — amid accusations that he stalked and sexually harassed multiple women, including UF students — received louder cheers during introductions than any UF player prior to the No. 20 Gators winning, 86-62, against Grambling State.

“During the current circumstances, I appreciate it,” Golden said.

Golden’s wife, Megan, sat four rows behind her husband while their two children sat directly behind the Florida bench. Gators football coach Billy Napier and wife Ali Napier sat behind Megan Golden while the Napiers’ three children also attended the game.

Following the win, the basketball coach did not comment on the allegations, which surfaced Friday in a report in the school’s Independent Florida Alligator newspaper. UF’s third-year coach referred only to a statement he made Saturday evening, where he acknowledged an ongoing Title IX investigation by UF and said he and attorney Ken Turkel are considering “defamation claims.”

“Obviously would love to be able to give you more,” Golden said. “But that’s all I can give in this moment.”

Asked how he felt to be allowed to coach amid the accusation, Golden said, “It feels like normal, to be honest. This is my job. So it’s my position at the moment, and we will continue to do it.”

On the court, Golden’s Gators (3-0) made short order of Grambling, coming off a hard-fought 68-66 loss at No. 25 Ole Miss. UF hit five 3-pointers, made 10 of 13 free throws and held a 25-10 rebounding edge to take a 43-28 halftime lead — each of the Gators’ eight key rotational players scored and had at least one rebound.

A 9-0 run featuring a long 3-pointer by senior guard Walter Clayton gave UF a 55-34 advantage, the Gators’ largest lead of the game. UF twice led by as many as 28 points as five Gators scored in double figures, led by 6-foot-11 Washington State transfer Rueben Chinyelu with 14 points to tie his career high.

Clayton and senior guard Will Richard, along with Chattanooga transfer Sam Alexis of Apopka, had 12 points each. Richard also had five steals.

Golden was especially pleased with his team’s rebounding, which ended with a margin of 21 (45-24). Sophomore Alex Condon led with way with eight while sophomore forward Thomas Haugh and FAU transfer guard Alijah Martin had seven each.

“It was awesome,” Golden said. “Our guys did a great job of setting the tone that way.”

Players did not address reporters after the game to avoid queries about their coach’s predicament.

The Alligator reported UF’s Title IX office filed a formal complaint on Sept. 27 alleging Golden violated the university’s Gender Equity Policy.

Golden’s accusers allege he made unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requested sexual favors and sent photos, including videos, of his genitalia while traveling in his duties for the university. On multiple occasions, the complaint stated, he allegedly took pictures of women walking or driving, photographed their cars and showed up to locations where he knew the women would be.

Many of the fans in the Gators’ raucous student section, The Rowdy Reptiles, are female students, a topic Golden addressed after the game.

“I just would hope that they would allow the process to take place and see where it ends up,” he said.

Golden, 39, said he has been advised not to comment on when the inquiry will conclude.

Even though Golden has continued to coach the Gators, all ads and public service announcements involving him were removed from the video boards for Monday’s game.

Golden agreed to a two-year contract extension with a $1 million raise in March after he led the Gators to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2021. He is 43-29 at UF.