GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Despite facing allegations of sexual assault, Florida assistant coach Taurean Green will maintain his position with the men’s basketball team. Head coach Todd Golden confirmed that Green will be present when the fifth-ranked Gators compete against Texas on Saturday. Golden, who is also undergoing a Title IX investigation, expressed his frustration regarding the alleged leak of confidential information associated with these cases.
“I recommend that people refrain from hastily judging based solely on a headline,” Golden stated on Friday. “I find myself feeling frustrated and let down by the misuse of a Title IX mechanism that is intended to safeguard both parties involved in such situations, as confidentiality and privacy appear to be compromised.”
Golden made these remarks following reports from ESPN regarding a formal complaint lodged with the school’s Title IX office, which accuses Green of inappropriate conduct towards an athletic department employee in March 2024. According to the complaint reviewed by ESPN, it alleges that Green kissed the employee and attempted to touch her inappropriately. The individual, who opted to remain anonymous due to concerns about retaliation, stated that she firmly rejected Green’s advances and left the encounter.
The complainant also mentioned that she had not interacted with Green in a private setting before this incident, having only exchanged brief greetings with him on campus. She did not initially report the incident due to Green’s prominent status within the department. A former NCAA champion with the Gators, Green joined the coaching staff in 2022 after a career in professional basketball.
The woman decided to come forward after being approached by Title IX investigators in relation to Golden’s case, which brought to light potential patterns of behavior she felt warranted further examination. “It’s concerning,” she noted, recognizing the broader implications of such allegations within the program.
Golden expressed his discontent with the manner in which his program is being portrayed, asserting that perception does not align with reality. “I am here every day, witnessing our staff and players’ conduct. I take pride in everything we’ve accomplished,” he remarked.
In mid-December, the woman disclosed her claims to Florida’s deputy athletics director, Amy Meyers Hass. This development comes during an ongoing investigation into a previous Title IX complaint against Golden, which outlines accusations of sexual exploitation, harassment, and stalking. The complaint alleges that Golden sent explicit material and made inappropriate advances through social media.
Title IX is designed to prevent discrimination, particularly concerning sexual harassment in educational settings. The University of Florida has contracted Grand River Solutions, a private firm based in California, to handle its Title IX investigations.
Upon his appointment at Florida, Golden signed a six-year contract worth $18 million, which he extended until the end of the 2029-30 season. The contract explicitly prohibits any romantic or sexual relationships between coaches and student-athletes under their supervision. It also grants the university the authority to impose disciplinary measures if a coach’s actions are deemed detrimental to the reputation or integrity of the athletic program or institution.
Golden commended his team for their resilience, noting that they have continued to push forward despite external distractions. “While the current situation is far from ideal, I am proud of how we have maintained focus on winning and how we have performed this season,” he stated. “I trust that this commitment will carry on as we move forward.”
