Florida Basketball's Todd Golden Deserves SEC Coach of the Year

The Gators' head coach has led his team to an impressive turnaround season.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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In his second year as the head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team, Todd Golden has guided the program to a remarkable turnaround season and deserves to be named the SEC Coach of the Year.

Why it matters

After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, Golden has transformed the Gators into an NCAA Tournament contender, showcasing his coaching acumen and ability to get the most out of his roster.

The details

Under Golden's leadership, Florida has improved its record significantly, posting a 22-10 overall mark and 12-6 conference record so far this season. The Gators have been competitive in every game, showcasing an up-tempo, unselfish style of play that has been a hallmark of Golden's coaching philosophy.

  • The 2024-25 season saw the Gators struggle to a 16-16 record.
  • In the 2025-26 season, Florida has already surpassed its win total from the previous year.

The players

Todd Golden

The head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team, who has led the program to a remarkable turnaround in his second season.

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What they’re saying

“We had a lot of talented guys that were trying to figure each other out,”

— Todd Golden, Head Coach, Florida Gators

What’s next

If the Gators can continue their strong play, they are likely to secure an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking a significant achievement for Golden and the program.

The takeaway

Todd Golden's ability to quickly turn around the Florida Gators men's basketball team and guide them to the cusp of the NCAA Tournament in his second season as head coach is a testament to his coaching acumen and the potential of the program under his leadership.