UF hoops asst. faces sexual attack accusations

• Paula Lavigne, ESPN Investigative ReporterJan 16, 2025, 05:34 PM ET Close Data analyst and reporter for ESPN’s Business and Investigative System.

• Winner, 2014 Alfred I. duPont Columbia University Award; finalist, 2012 IRE broadcast award; winner, 2011 Gannett Structure Award for Innovation in Guard Dog Journalism; Emmy chose, 2009.

A University of Florida athletics department worker submitted a sexual attack problem versus an assistant guys’s basketball coach Tuesday as the school continues to investigate head coach Todd Golden for alleged Title IX infractions that became public in November.The lady, who

asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, reported to the school’s Title IX office that in March 2024, assistant men’s basketball coach Taurean Green arranged a conference with her in the athletic centers, where he kissed her and tried to put his by far her pants, according to a copy of the grievance evaluated by ESPN.She pulled his

hand away and stated no, and he tried again, at which point she got away, according to the complaint. Until that day, she had never been alone with Green and had actually just exchanged casual greetings with him on school, she told ESPN in an interview.Green did not respond to ask for comment.In a statement, Florida spokesperson Steve

Orlando told ESPN,”The law forbids us from discussing the existence or status of investigations. The University of Florida takes these matters seriously and carries out a thorough and deliberate procedure that ensures due process for everyone. “Editor’s Picks 1 Associated The female stated she did not report the alleged incident at the time in part due to the fact that of Green’s status.

Green, who

as a Florida player won NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007, joined the basketball staff in 2022 after playing in the NBA and overseas.The woman informed ESPN she decided to come forward after Title IX private investigators working on the Golden case asked to interview her last fall about Golden’s interactions with female athletes. She said that query made her realize there might be issues about a pattern of habits and other women might be affected.She told ESPN she first reported her accusations in mid-December to Florida deputy sports director Amy Meyers Hass. When asked what action was taken after she ended up being aware of these accusations, Hass did not comment, mentioning confidentiality.The claims versus Green is the second recognized Title IX grievance filed against a member of the Florida men’s basketball coaching personnel in the previous four months. The university is still investigating the Sept. 27 Title IX problem against Golden that consisted of allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and stalking, according to copies of correspondence supplied to ESPN and sources with direct understanding of the investigation.ESPN and the Florida Center for Federal government Accountability have actually made ask for records relating to the Title IX problem and correspondence among particular Florida athletic and university authorities. Those requests have been rejected or have not gotten a response.The Title IX grievance versus Golden includes allegations that he

sent out pictures and videos of his genitalia, made undesirable sexual advances on Instagram and requested sexual favors.On numerous celebrations, Golden apparently took pictures of females strolling or driving– or their cars in different locations– and then sent out those images to the subjects of the photos.

He likewise supposedly showed up to places where he knew the women would be, according to the Title IX complaint.In a Nov. 9 post on X, Golden composed that he had been participating in the inquiry and was speaking with

with an attorney on bringing character assassination claims. No such suit has been filed.Golden’s attorney, Ken Turkel, decreased to comment Thursday.Golden, who joined the Gators from the University of San Francisco in 2022, has continued to coach given that the complaint was submitted. Florida is 15-2 and ranked fifth in the AP Top 25. One plaintiff in the Golden questions is a student at a college with a collaboration program with Florida, according to her lawyer, Karen Truszkowski. In reaction to an ESPN records demand, university authorities noted that the school could supply no record

of her being a student at Florida. Another female, who likewise spoke to Title IX detectives about unwanted behavior from Golden, is not a student and stated she understands the basketball coach socially.Both ladies have actually offered statements to Title IX private investigators and have actually continued to correspond with them, according to Truszkowski.Title IX is designed to safeguard students from discrimination, including sexual harassment. It is unclear how the 2 females’s status affects the investigation. Florida’s Title IX planner, Jackie Moran, did not respond to a question about how the law applies to grievances submitted by nonstudents. Moran is an employee of Grand River Solutions, a personal California company Florida contracted in 2015 to conduct its Title IX examinations, according to an agreement evaluated by ESPN.”It does not matter if a

plaintiff is a student, employee or otherwise. The crucial concern is,’Could this have an impact on the trainee body at large?'” Truszkowski stated.”The Title IX department is looking into accusations involving present students also.”Golden at first signed a six-year, $18 million contract and consented to a two-year extension in March 2024 that will keep him at Florida through the 2029-30 season. His agreement, a copy of which ESPN has actually reviewed, forbids “romantic, amorous and/or sexual relationships between any coach or other staff member of the Association and any trainee professional athlete or other person topic to the supervision, control and/or authority of such coach or other staff member. “The contract likewise says the university can take disciplinary action if the coach acts in a way”

that has an’negative result’ or triggers an ‘unfavorable reflection,’ on the credibility, mission and/or interests”of the athletic department or the university.Paula Lavigne is an investigative reporter at ESPN. Reach her at paula.lavigne@espn.com.