What it would take to fire Florida basketball coach Todd Golden for cause

Posted by author November 14, 2024 Basketball

Spread the love

Florida basketball coach Todd Golden confirmed on social media over the weekend that he is the subject of a Title IX investigation, which includes allegations of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking and cyber stalking.

Golden stood by his statement Monday after the Florida Gators‘ 86-62 win over Grambling. In the statement, Golden said he’s cooperating with investigators and has engaged with a defamation attorney.

“I kind of expressed my statement on Saturday, and obviously would love to be able to give you more, but that’s all I can give in this moment,” Golden said. “And so, any questions in regards to the ongoing inquiry, I’m just referring to my statement on Saturday, and I apologize that I can’t comment any more than that.”

According to the complaint, obtained by the Gainesville Sun, Golden’s behavior was directed toward multiple UF students during the preceding 12 months. It alleges Golden made unwanted advances on social media, requested sexual favors and sent pictures of his genitalia while traveling in his duties for UF.

How accusations could violate Florida basketball coach Todd Golden’s contract

Golden agreed to terms in March on a two-year extension to his contract, which included a $1 million raise annually for an average salary of $4 million per season. The buyout protection is 65% of the remaining value of his deal, which runs through 2030 and would amount to close to $16 million.

Under terms of Golden’s contract, however, he could be fired for cause for a number of reasons if the allegations are proven true.

— A clause in Golden’s contract requires him to adhere to all laws and University regulations, “repetitive failure by the coach to exercise such due care or to comply (other than by committing minor traffic offenses and non-criminal offenses under laws) and/or any commitment and indictment/of (or plea of guilty or no contest by) coach for a felony shall be a material violation of his agreement. The parties acknowledge that such noncompliance (whether or not prosecuted or enforced or even found through an association review) conviction, indictment and/or plea will have an adverse effect on UF’s reputations, interests and/or missions and such occurrence will undermine the coach’s effectiveness under this agreement or the activities agreement.”

The term laws, per Golden’s contract, “shall mean any and all ordinances which include laws, regulation, rules, directives, written policies, administrative decisions, orders, and constitutions of any and all official or authoritative interpretations thereof and any and all amendments, supplements and modifications thereto that are in effect at the applicable time.”

Adherence to Title IX policy would fall under such guidelines. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding.

Golden also would in violation of UF sexual harassment policy if allegations were proven true that he harassed students. The policy reads, “Any employee or student of the University who is found to have harassed or discriminated against another employee or applicant for employment or student, will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal or expulsion.”

— A clause in Golden’s activities agreement, which pays the bulk of his deal through television and apparel rights, prohibits Golden from acting in a manner that has an “adverse effect” or causes an “adverse reaction” on the “reputation, mission and/or interests” of the “University Athletic Association” and/or “media rights holder” — or acting in a manner that is in “conflict, interferes or is inconsistent with” the “reputation, mission and/or interests of the UAA, University, media rights holder. It would be up for UF’s president (interim president Kent Fuchs). or athletic director (Scott Stricklin) or UAA chairman to determine if there’s an adverse effect.”

— There is a morals clause in Golden’s agreement in which he must meet “the highest standard of professionalism, competence … personal conduct, ethics, integrity and morals as such highest standards are determined by UF’s president or UAA chairman in consultation with UF’s athletic director. The coach’s performance reflects upon and affects the reputation, mission and interests of the UAA and UF, which parties acknowledge are valuable and intend to be protected by the agreement.”

Could UF suspend Florida basketball coach Todd Golden under terms of his deal

In 2020, The U.S. Department of Education instituted a rule change that prohibits schools from imposing “disciplinary, punitive or unreasonably burdensome” sanctions during sexual misconduct investigations. One action the government said could be deemed unreasonable was removal of a player or coach from a sports team (there are exceptions if the accused is deemed a threat to someone’s health or safety). The change was designed to ensure due process for the accused.

However, there are clauses in Golden’s contract that give UF the power to “take disciplinary action, corrective action and/or terminate this agreement and/or the Activities Agreement and/or impose a suspension on the coach.”

That power includes any action independent of action taken by law enforcement, any court and/or other governmental authority, the NCAA, the SEC and/or any other external body. It “shall not be obligated to await the initiation or conclusion of any external law enforcement, court, government, external body, NCAA, SEC, another institution of higher education and/or other process, investigation, inquiry and/or other action.”

In other words, Florida wouldn’t have to await the conclusion of the Title IX probe if it wanted to suspend Golden.

To date, Florida has chosen not to suspend Golden, who has coached UF’s three games. The Gators next play Friday night at Florida State. A UF spokesperson would not answer questions as to why Golden has not been suspended, citing school policy not to comment on ongoing Title IX investigations.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1