Florida basketball coach Todd Golden was a finalist for Naismith Coach of the Year on Friday, given to college basketball’s best team in the country.
Golden, 39, has guided the No. 4 Florida Gators(27-4) to more than 25 regular season wins for just the third time in program time and first time since 2014. UF, which plays Missouri on Friday night in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals (7 p.m., SEC Network) is in position to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history and first time since 2014.
UF has already surpassed its win total from last season, when UF went 24-12 under Golden and reached the NCAA Tournament before falling to Colorado. Overall, UF is 67-33 in Golden’s three seasons.
The Gators are more balanced heading into NCAA Tournament this year, ranking 4th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, per KenPom, and ninth defensively.
Auburn’s Bruce Pearl edged out Golden for SEC Coach of the Year Honors. Pearl also is a Naismith COY Award finalist. Here’s the full list:
2025 Naismith Coach of the Year Finalists
Bruce Pearl, Auburn
