Florida coach Todd Golden addresses Title IX grievance (1:25)
Florida basketball coach Todd Golden speaks to the media in his first public look since acknowledging an ongoing college inquiry into sexual harassment and stalking allegations. (1:25)
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ESPN Information Companies
Nov 11, 2024, 10:59 PM ET
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — After 4 “difficult” days, Florida males’s basketball coach Todd Golden welcomed the reception he acquired when he took the courtroom Monday night time.
Golden obtained a rousing ovation, one of many loudest of the night time, throughout pregame introductions earlier than the Twentieth-ranked Gators beat Grambling State 86-62.
“I assumed it was nice,” Golden stated. “I assumed [fans] have been as regular, and clearly through the present circumstances, I respect it.”
It was Golden’s first public appearance since he acknowledged an ongoing school inquiry into sexual harassment and stalking allegations. Golden beforehand stated he’s contemplating “defamation claims.”
The 39-year-old Golden shook arms along with his assistants and acquired a number of hugs from gamers in addition to Grambling State coach Donte’ Jackson. Golden’s spouse, Megan, and their two younger boys sat behind the bench.
Ads and public service bulletins involving the coach have been faraway from videoboards contained in the O’Connell Middle.
A replica of the Title IX grievance obtained by ESPN on Friday stated the college was investigating Golden for allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking and cyberstalking a number of ladies, together with college students.
Based on the Title IX grievance, the claims embrace undesirable sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors and sending images and movies of his genitalia. The newspaper based mostly its report on a Title IX grievance filed in opposition to Golden on Sept. 27.
“What’s personally getting me by way of this proper now?” Golden stated. “Respecting the state of affairs, my household, my group, my teaching employees. We’re simply persevering with to assault it like we usually would daily.”
Requested what he would say to ladies followers, Golden requested endurance.
“Clearly, on this state of affairs, due course of and to proceed to assist guys, and I simply would hope that they might permit the method to happen and see the place it finally ends up,” he stated.
On a couple of event, based on the Title IX grievance, Golden allegedly took images of girls strolling or driving and despatched these photos to the topics concerned. Alleged stalking incidents additionally included Golden displaying as much as places the place he knew the ladies could be.
“Once more, I do know what is going on on. I do know the state of affairs,” Golden stated. “Our employees’s finished an important job. Our guys have finished an excellent job. We have spent loads of time collectively over the past couple days and proceed to organize for what we now have in entrance of us, which was this sport tonight and what shall be Florida State on Friday.”
The Gators (3-0) responded with their greatest first half of the season in opposition to Grambling State (1-2). 5 gamers scored in double figures, led by Rueben Chinyelu‘s 14 factors, which tied a profession excessive. Golden stated their efficiency was anticipated.
“I feel they know who I’m and, once more, they’re mature,” Golden stated. “They’re all actually good guys and all tremendous targeted. We had actually good practices. We had an important shootaround and I assumed they have been all actually locked in. I felt like we have been going to play very well.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
