Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden has secured a significant pay raise after guiding the team to a national championship in just his third season. The 39-year-old coach has agreed to a six-year, $40.5 million contract extension, keeping him in Gainesville through the 2030-31 season.
Golden’s new annual salary of $6.75 million makes him the fourth-highest-paid coach in college basketball, trailing only Kansas’ Bill Self, Arkansas’ John Calipari, and UConn’s Dan Hurley. He also becomes the second-highest-paid coach in the SEC, surpassing the salaries of Bruce Pearl, Rick Barnes, and Nate Oats, while sitting behind Calipari. Previously earning $4 million per year, Golden’s pay increase reflects his rapid rise and historic success with the Gators.
Golden took over the Florida program in 2022 after three seasons at San Francisco. In his second year, he led the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance, and in his third year, he delivered a national championship—the program’s first since 2007. Florida finished the season with an impressive 36-4 record, overcoming early struggles, including a loss to Kentucky in their SEC opener, to become the youngest coach to win a national title since Jim Valvano in 1983.
Despite the success, Golden faces a challenging offseason as the team prepares for a rebuild. Key players Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard have exhausted their eligibility, while Alex Condon and Reuben Chinyelu are testing the NBA Draft waters. Additionally, Denzel Aberdeen and Sam Alexis have transferred, with Aberdeen joining the Kentucky Wildcats.
Returning talent is limited, with junior forward Thomas Haugh expected to anchor the roster. However, Florida has been active in the transfer portal, bringing in Princeton point guard Xaivian Lee and Ohio shooting guard AJ Brown. The Gators also added highly touted four-star guards CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd from the high school ranks.
Even amidst the roster turnover, Florida remains a top 25 team in early projections for the 2025-26 season. ESPN’s Jeff Borzello ranks the Gators at No. 18 in his Way-Too-Early Rankings, joining five other SEC teams in the top 25.
Golden’s contract extension is a testament to his leadership and vision, as he seeks to sustain Florida’s prominence in college basketball. While the upcoming season may present challenges, the Gators are poised to remain competitive under Golden’s guidance.
