GAINESVILLE, Fla. — College basketball blue bloods are looking to sign Florida coach Todd Golden to his third contract extension in as many years, with potential job openings at Kansas and North Carolina.
Athletic director Scott Stricklin said Tuesday that “we’re going to do everything in our power to make sure he’s always known that he’s really valuable.”
Golden already had a year-over-year raise, first signing a two-year extension in March 2024 that raised his average salary to $4.1 million annually and then adding another year to the deal last May — after winning the national title — that rocketed his average salary to $6.75 million.
Of the seven current coaches who have won national championships, Golden, 40, ranks fifth in compensation behind Kansas’ Bill Self, Arkansas’ John Calipari, UConn’s Dan Hurley and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo. That may change to another raise.
The No. 1-seeded Gators (27-8) lost to ninth-seeded Iowa in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, ending their shot at winning back-to-back titles for the second time in program history. Speculation about Golden’s future has been ongoing ever since.
Golden has five years left on his current deal, which includes a $16 million buyout to go to another college. That number dropped to $11 million as of April 16. Adding another year to the contract could keep Florida’s buyout high enough to fend off suitors.
“When we have talented, successful coaches, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure they know they’re appreciated at the University of Florida,” Stricklin said. “We have given Todd new contracts the last two years. He is a priority for the University of Florida, and we will treat him as such.”
Golden is the fastest Florida basketball coach to reach 100 points, accomplishing the feat in 139 games, breaking the previous record (154) set by Billy Donovan in 2001. Golden joins Calipari and Toby Smith as the only Southeastern Conference coaches in four seasons.
Many consider this season to be the Goldens’ best coaching career. The Gators started the season 5-4 and fell out of the AP Top 25 in late December.
Golden, who was named SEC Coach of the Year, responded by revamping the team’s offensive approach. No more subtle drama. No more shooting from 3-point range. Golden urged his sons to embrace “ugly basketball.” be physical Dominate the paint. Drive, dish, dunk. Take on opponents on both ends of the floor. It became the team’s calling card — and yielded impressive results.
Florida won 21 of 23 games before losing to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament. From there the Gators regrouped and dominated Prairie View in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament 114-55. They were double-digit favorites against Iowa and failed to make the final shot in the final seconds, losing 73-72.
Stricklin called the last 12 months under Golden “unbelievable.”
“It’s pretty rarefied air that Todd and his staff and the players are taking us,” he said. “This special group of guys connected to Gaiter Nation on a really unique level. … They just feel a connection because of how hard the guys play and how well they do representing the University of Florida. We’ll be back. Todd will have a program that will last a long, long time.”
And Stricklin expressed confidence that will happen in Gainesville.
“Todd wants to stay at the University of Florida,” she said. “I really wish all those (other) programs the best of luck. I’m sure they’ll find a good coach there, and I’m glad Todd will be here for a long time.”
