Florida signs Golden to new 6-year, $40.5M deal

Florida has agreed to a new six-year, $40.5-million contract with head coach Todd Golden that will keep him with the program through March 31, 2031, the school announced Tuesday.

Golden led the Gators to the national championship this season and is now rewarded by becoming one of the top five highest-paid coaches in the country with an annual average salary of $6.75 million, per USA Today.

"Todd has done an incredible job getting Florida men's basketball back where it belongs," athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a statement. "We believed in his vision, his competitive nature, and his modern approach to the game back in 2022; and he has validated that belief in a relatively short time and helped create memories of a lifetime for another generation of Gator fans."

The 39-year-old led Florida to a 36-4 record this campaign and an SEC Tournament title.

Golden has been with Florida since 2022, earning a 76-33 record over three seasons. He's also led them to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. The Gators were eliminated in the first round in 2024.

"As we've shown during our time in Gainesville, the University of Florida is an institution that has the resources, support, and people in place to compete and win national championships," Golden said in a statement. "I am so appreciative of each and every player and staff member who have been critical to the success we've experienced here. My family and I look forward to our future here at UF and to the continued success of our men's basketball program."

He previously coached San Francisco from 2019-22 and led the Dons to their first March Madness appearance in 24 years in his final season there.

If Golden were to leave Florida for the NBA during his deal he would owe the school $3 million after next season, $2 million in 2027 or 2028, and $1 million in 2029, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Edgar Thompson.

If he were to leave for another school, Golden would owe Florida $16 million after 2026, $11 million in 2027, $4 million in 2028, $3 million in 2029, $2 million in 2030, and $1 million in 2031, Thompson added.