Florida basketball coach Todd Golden is the subject of Title IX allegations of breach of contract

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

Golden stood by his statement after the Florida on Monday Gators’86-62 win over Grambling. In the statement, Golden said he is and has been cooperating with investigators came into contact with a defamation lawyer.

“I expressed my statement on Saturday and obviously I would like to give you more, but that’s all I can give at this time,” Golden said. “And so, for any questions regarding the ongoing investigation, I refer only to my statement on Saturday, and I regret that I cannot say more than that.”

According to the complaint, obtained by the Gainesville Sun, Golden’s conduct over the previous 12 months targeted multiple UF students. It is alleged that Golden made unwanted advances on social media, solicited sexual favors and sent photos of his genitals while traveling in his role for UF.

How allegations could breach Florida basketball coach Todd Golden’s contract

Golden agreed to the terms and conditions in March with a two-year contract extension, bringing his average annual salary to $4.1 million. He received a $600,000 raise this season. The buyout protection amounts to 65% of the remaining value of his deal, which runs until 2030, and would amount to $14.625 million.

However, under the terms of Golden’s contract, he could be fired for a number of reasons if the allegations prove to be true.

– A clause in Golden’s contract requires him to comply with all laws and university rules, “repeated failure by the coach to exercise due care or to comply (other than by committing minor traffic violations and non-criminal offenses under law) and/or any undertaking and charge/of (or admission of guilt or no contest by) the coach for a criminal offense shall constitute a material breach of his agreement. The parties acknowledge that such non-compliance (whether or not prosecuted, enforced or even passed) an association review) conviction, indictment and/or plea will adversely affect the reputation, interests and/or missions of UF and such an event will impair the effectiveness of the coach under this Agreement or the Activities Agreement. undermine.

The term laws, according to Golden’s contract, “means all ordinances that include laws, regulations, rules, guidelines, written policies, administrative decisions, orders and constitutions of all official or authoritative interpretations thereof and all amendments, supplements and modifications thereto be in effect at the applicable time.”

Compliance with Title IX policies would be covered by such guidelines. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funding.

Golden would also be in conflict UF Sexual Harassment Policy if the allegations turned out to be true that he was harassing students. The policy states: “Any employee or student of the University who has harassed or discriminated against another employee or applicant or student will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination or expulsion.”

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

– There is a morals clause in Golden’s agreement in which he must meet the: “the highest standards of the association and the university for professionalism, competence, academic mission, demonstrated dedication of head athletic coaches, and personal and professional conduct, ethics, integrity and morals as such, the highest standards are determined by the President or Chairman in consultation with the Athletic Director.”

Kevin Brockway is the Florida beat writer for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1