Todd Golden

Coach

Todd Golden is an acclaimed American-Israeli former basketball player and the current head coach of the Florida Gators men’s basketball team. Golden’s most successful season as a head coach came recently in 2021-22, when he led San Francisco to a 24-10 record — the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 1998 and their highest mark since the 1981-82 season. It was in early 2022 that Golden was announced as the head coach of the Florida Gators men’s basketball team, with a six-year contract worth a staggering $18 million — showing just how highly valued he is in the industry.

Golden’s early life and education were centered around his passion for basketball. Golden’s talent as a basketball player in high school earned him a spot at Saint Mary’s College of California, where he played guard for the Saint Mary’s Gaels from 2004 to 2008. During his college career, Golden helped the Gaels make appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and 2008. He played a total of 109 games, averaging an incredible 5.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Golden’s impressive senior season in 2007-08 saw him ranking second in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio, and he graduated as the Gaels’ all-time leader in free-throw percentage. After his playing career, Golden entered the coaching ranks, starting as the director of basketball operations at Columbia University and later Auburn under coach Bruce Pearl. He eventually became an assistant coach at Auburn before reuniting with Kyle Smith at the University of San Francisco. In April 2019, Golden was named the head coach of the Dons, becoming the 20th men’s basketball coach in the program’s history. In his first season, Golden led San Francisco to an impressive 22-12 record, finishing fifth in the West Coast Conference (WCC) and reaching the WCC tournament semi-finals.

Off the court, Golden is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel. He is also a dedicated family man, married to Megan York — a four-year volleyball standout at Saint Mary’s and the WCC’s Co-Freshman of the Year in 2007. Golden brings an infectious energy and enthusiasm everywhere he goes, and continues to impress those around him as a rising star in the industry.