Florida basketball head coach has signed a contract extension with the Gators — his third in three years — making him the highest-paid coach in school history.
Golden will now earn an average salary of $8.25 million annually on his new six-year, $49.5 million deal, representing a $2.25 million per season raise. The contract extension features an annual increase of $300,000 each year, topping out at $9 million in 2031-32.
The 40-year-old's buyout to leave for another collegiate program starts at $16 million next season and drops annually to $13 million in 2027-28, then $5 million in 2028-29; it decreases to $3 million in 2029-30, $2 million in 2030-31 and $1 million in the final year.
It also includes a $3 million buyout if Golden leaves Gainesville for the NBA next season, but drops to $2 million the following two seasons and then $1 million in 2029-30.
Also included is a $500,000 annual longevity incentive and a $100,000 annual expense account, along with 30 hours of free use of the university athletic association’s jet and other fringe benefits (cars, tickets, travel, etc.) valued at $62,000.
Golden is set to earn a $100,000 bonus for winning the SEC regular-season championship, a $50,000 bonus for winning the SEC Tournament, a $100,000 bonus for making the NCAA Tournament and a $50,000 bonus for every NCAA Tournament victory. He also will get an additional $100,000 if his team’s academic progress rate reaches 965 points out of 1,000.
Golden’s deal is close to fully guaranteed, with Florida owing him 85% of the remaining value if the school fires him without cause at any point.
His $7.5 million salary this season will make him the second-highest-paid coach in the SEC behind only Arkansas' Jon Calipari and the fourth-highest in the nation behind only Kansas' Bill Self, UConn's Dan Hurley and Calipari. North Carolina's Michael Malone will make the same amount in his first year with the Tar Heels.
His contract is also richer than first-year football coach Jon Sumrall’s six-year contract, which averages $7.45 million annually.
The Gators' skipper has undoubtedly earned his pay, having put up a 103-41 record in four seasons with the Orange and Blue, including a 36-4 mark two years ago en route to the program’s third national title. His team enters the 2026-27 campaign a favorite to bring home another championship banner.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Todd Golden signs contract extension with Florida basketball
Leave a Comment