UF probe clears Golden of stalking claims

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• 40 “/ > Jeff BorzelloJan 27, 2025, 12:05 PM ET Close Basketball recruiting expert.
• Joined ESPN in 2014.
• Graduate of University of Delaware.The University of Florida

has closed its examination into Gators males’s basketball coach Todd Golden after finding”no evidence”that he breached Title IX, the school said Monday.The four-month investigation followed a grievance submitted

against Golden on Sept. 27 that included allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking and cyberstalking from numerous females, including students.”The University of Florida takes these matters seriously

and works intentionally to make sure that due process is upheld for everybody,”university representative Steve Orlando said in a declaration.” After a comprehensive investigation that consisted of dozens of interviews over the previous months, the University of Florida has discovered no proof that Todd Golden breached IX. The Title IX workplace has actually closed its examination.”Editor’s Picks A representative for the University Athletic Association, which supervises Florida sports, likewise verified to ESPN the

evaluation had actually been finished.”We take these matters seriously and understand the need for the procedure to be conducted with stringent privacy and discretion,”the UAA said in a statement.”Throughout this procedure, Coach Golden has shown incredible focus and professionalism, and we commend him for that. As the Gators move forward, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting a championship experience with stability. “The Title IX problem included accusations that Golden sent out images and videos of his genitalia, made unwanted sexual bear down Instagram and requested sexual favors. The school has actually decreased demands to launch records of the grievance. The University of Florida said its

Title IX investigation into coach Todd Golden discovered “no proof”of violations following allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking and cyberstalking from numerous females, including trainees. Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images Golden acknowledged the school questions one day after it became public in early November, saying he was participating in the examination and was considering disparagement claims.” The last a number of months have been a challenge for my household and me while this process

dragged on,”Golden stated in a declaration published to X on Monday.”We asked for the public to permit the procedure to overcome to its conclusion and not hurry to judgment based on accusations. The UAA and so lots of at the university have actually been tremendously supportive– my family and I are incredibly grateful.”Golden’s lawyer, William Shephard, stated Monday that the outcome of the examination revealed

the Title IX grievance was”meritless.”” Coach Golden and I have actually appreciated the procedure throughout while actively engaging with the university. Nevertheless, there were many who did not appreciate the investigative process,”Shephard’s declaration stated.” 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 impersonated a UF lawyer in an effort to daunt; bothered UF students and moms and dads to try to produce an incorrect story; and bothered my client, his family, and his pals.”Coach Golden appreciates the support he and his program have actually gotten from numerous at the University and from around the country. Now that this is concluded,

Coach can continue to concentrate on the basketball season and consider his legal choices in the offseason– now it’s time to move on.”Another Title IX case versus Florida assistant coach Taurean Green that involves sexual attack accusations is ongoing. An athletic department employee has actually declared that Green, a former Florida player who signed up with the basketball personnel in 2022 following an expert basketball profession, kissed her and attempted to put his by far her pants in March 2024, according to a problem evaluated by ESPN previously this month.Golden, 39, remains in his third season as the head men’s basketball coach at Florida. The Gators(18-2, 5-2 SEC )are ranked No. 5 in the AP poll, as the group is off to its best start because Florida reached the Last 4 in 2014. Golden signed a two-year contract extension last March that brought his annual salary to $4 million and puts him under contract through the 2029-30 season.Prior to being worked with in 2022, Golden was the head coach at San Francisco for three seasons, leading the Dons to the NCAA tournament weeks before his departure.The Associated Press contributed to this report.