GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida men’s basketball head coach Todd Golden has been named to the Naismith College Coach of the Year Watch List, the Naismith Awards announced on Friday.
The No. 2-ranked Gators have a 23-3 record in their third season under Golden’s guidance. This season has featured a pair of wins against No. 1 teams as Florida became the fifth team in the history of the sport to beat two different top-ranked teams in the same season. UF’s two wins vs. No. 1 teams also matched the team’s two in program history prior to this season.
Florida posted a perfect 13-0 record in nonconference play, the second-best start in program history, and UF’s current five-game winning streak is its longest in Southeastern Conference play since 2019. The Gators lead the SEC with 17.1 fastbreak points per game (fourth nationally) and a +17.4 scoring margin (fifth nationally).
In addition to Golden’s recognition, Florida players have earned a series of accolades this season. Walter Clayton Jr. has earned a place on the Naismith Midseason Team, the Wooden Late Midseason Top 20 and the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Midseason Watch List. Alijah Martin has a place on the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Midseason Watch List. Alex Condon is a two-time SEC Player of the Week, and Will Richard has earned Dick Vitale’s National Player of the Week recognition.
The Gators will be back on the court this Saturday taking on the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge at 6:00 p.m. on SEC Network.
Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Watch List
Greg Gard, Wisconsin
Dennis Gates, Missouri
Todd Golden, Florida
Penny Hardaway, Memphis
Tom Izzo, Michigan State
Pat Kelsey, Louisville
Dusty May, Michigan
Grant McCasland, Texas Tech
Ben McCollum, Drake
Matt Painter, Purdue
Bruce Pearl, Auburn
Rick Pitino, St. John’s
Richard Pitino, New Mexico
Kelvin Sampson, Houston
Jon Scheyer, Duke
