Univ. of Florida AD Scott Stricklin’s “patience and prudence are a major reason” the men’s basketball team is in the NCAA national title game after the Title IX investigation on coach Todd Golden, according to Mike Bianchi of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. When Stricklin “made the bold move” of choosing Golden as the coach, his “gutsy decision to stand by Golden amid salacious accusations of sexual exploitation, harassment and stalking set the stage for a magical season that has gone from tumultuous to triumphant.” The charges against Golden triggered a “comprehensive Title IX investigation,” casting a “scandalous shadow on the program and placing immense pressure on Stricklin and UF’s administration to act decisively.” Stricklin chose a “different course -- one rooted in the principles of unwavering support, due process and innocent until proven guilty.” He put his “own job on the line by allowing the investigation to unfold without prejudgment,” allowing Golden to keep coaching his team despite the “potential of the damning allegations being proven true.” Stricklin said, “Both morally and legally, it was the right thing to do.” Stricklin: “There’s a process and we followed that process.” An independent firm conducted an “extensive four-month inquiry” involving numerous interviews -- an investigation that was completed in January with “no evidence” substantiating the claims against Golden. The university then officially cleared him of all allegations (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/5).
Florida sticking with Golden during Title IX probe shows AD Stricklin’s patience
