Florida males’s basketball head coach Todd Golden has been accused by an undefined variety of girls for sexual harassment and stalking, based on Title IX paperwork obtained by The Alligator.
The College of Florida obtained a proper Title IX criticism on Golden Sept. 27 alleging that he engaged in numerous conduct that probably violated the UF Gender Fairness Coverage.
With the intention to adjust to federal legislation, UF can’t touch upon or verify any Title IX inquiries, complaints or investigations, based on a UF spokesperson.
The formal Title IX criticism in opposition to Golden obtained by The Alligator consists of allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and stalking. The criticism alleges that over a yr, Golden particularly aimed these behaviors towards UF college students.
The claims concerning sexual harassment, which may additionally embody sexual exploitation, cited undesirable sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors, sending photographs and movies of his genitalia whereas touring for UF and numerous events of stalking.
There was allegedly multiple event through which Golden was taking photographs of girls strolling or driving and sending these photos to the topics concerned. Varied stalking incidents additionally included Golden exhibiting as much as areas the place he knew the ladies can be.
On allegedly multiple event, Golden was partaking girls on Instagram by liking photographs then ready till they learn the DM earlier than un-liking the photographs to keep away from suspicion.
Golden launched an announcement on Nov. 9 concerning the Title IX claims which have been filed in opposition to him. The statement got here simply over 24 hours after The Alligator reported he was the topic of a sexual harassment and stalking investigation.
He confirmed there’s an ongoing investigation and he’ll respect the case’s privateness because it strikes into its subsequent levels.
“For the final month, I’ve actively participated in and revered the confidentiality of an ongoing faculty inquiry,” Golden wrote in an announcement on his X account. “I’ve lately engaged Ken Turkel to advise me on my potential to carry defamation claims whereas this confidential investigation is ongoing. My household and I admire the help we’ve got obtained and stay assured the college will proceed its efforts to complete its evaluation promptly.”
There was no official assertion launched by UF or the lads’s basketball program concerning the standing of Golden’s tenure at Florida. The staff will play a house recreation on Monday night on the Stephen C. O’Connell Middle, the place Golden will likely be current.
The Alligator spoke with two separate girls who attested to Golden’s habits and requested to stay nameless for security causes. For the reason that investigation started, there was a small quantity of motion that was taken by UF, each girls mentioned.
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The primary girl, a former UF scholar, mentioned that Golden stalked her in individual, each in his automobile and on foot, and that this occurred “greater than 10 instances.” On one event, she mentioned she posted her location on her Instagram story, and Golden messaged her shortly after saying that he was within the space “ready for [her].”
She additionally mentioned Golden despatched unsolicited photographs of his genitalia to her. On a number of events, the primary girl mentioned she obtained the photographs whereas the staff was touring on the street. The character of Golden’s alleged stalking grew to become extra assertive over time, she mentioned.
“At first, it begins off gradual, like, ‘Oh, wow. That’s odd. This man is exhibiting us consideration,’” the primary girl mentioned. “After which it turns into, ‘Wow, he’s form of crossing a line. No, he didn’t imply it that method.’ Then it’s, ‘Wait, he’s absolutely stepping over that line.’ After which it’s, ‘Wow, there’s an image of his d*ck.’ It was a full grooming course of with all of us.”
Each the primary girl and the second girl, additionally a former UF scholar, corroborated that Golden appreciated Instagram posts of theirs relationship again to 2023, generally even older. Moreover, they mentioned he appreciated a number of posts directly, supposedly in an try and get the ladies’s consideration earlier than going again and unliking them to keep away from suspicion.
“He would go at such lengths about it,” the primary girl mentioned. “He would return, like a yr again, and like 10 photographs directly. Then, clearly, [he] adopted up with a DM, all the time in vanish mode… Simply actually aggressive Instagram stalking is one of the best ways to elucidate that.”
Golden had been involved with each girls for over a yr earlier than unfollowing them after they have been advised UF started trying into his habits this previous August, they mentioned.
Based on Snoopreport, a publicly accessible Instagram exercise monitoring software program, Golden unfollowed 118 accounts on the platform between Aug. 1 and Sept. 1. Not less than 20, if no more, of those accounts seem to have been younger girls with out connection to the Florida basketball program, or every other organizations that Golden had been beforehand affiliated with. The ladies individually confirmed that Golden had blocked them somewhat than unfollowed.
The second girl mentioned Golden advised quite a few girls that they have been “his drug” or “his good luck allure” earlier than video games.
“He had this manipulation tactic over everybody,” she mentioned. “And he despatched us all the identical sh*t. It was copy-paste to each lady.”
Each girls additionally allege UF Particular Assistant Ralphie Ferrari and UF Director of Basketball Technique and Analytics Jonathan Safir have been complicit in Golden’s misconduct.
The primary girl mentioned this misconduct goes past Golden. She believes there’s a tradition of sexual harassment inside Florida’s teaching workers that has solely grown since his arrival in Gainesville over two years in the past, she mentioned.
“I feel it’s only a sick f*cking joke that they’re all doing, inside that group, all of the coaches,” she mentioned. “They in all probability get off by exhibiting one another the photographs…There’s one thing f*cking sick occurring there.”
Contact Jack Meyer and Max Tucker at jmeyer@alligator.org and mtucker@alligator.org. Comply with them on X @jackmeyerUF and @Max_Tuckr1.
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Jack Meyer
Jack Meyer is a fourth-year journalism main and the Assistant Sports activities Editor for The Alligator. In his free time, he enjoys reviewing music, spending time with buddies, enjoying video video games and going to the fitness center.
Max Tucker
Max Tucker is a junior switch scholar at UF. After acquiring his A.A. in Journalism from Santa Fe School in 2023, he selected additional his training at Florida’s School of Journalism and Communications. Max is at the moment pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a specialization in sports activities and media. He enjoys {golfing} and going to the seaside along with his buddies in his free time.
