• A sexual assault complaint has been filed against Florida men's basketball assistant Taurean Green.
• Head coach Todd Golden supports Green's continued role amid Title IX investigations.
• The allegations against Green involve an incident with an athletics department employee.

In a troubling development for Florida's men's basketball program, a sexual assault complaint has been formally lodged against assistant coach Taurean Green, while the university concurrently investigates head coach Todd Golden for alleged Title IX violations. The complaint, which was filed with the school's Title IX office, details an incident where Green inappropriately advanced towards a female employee during a meeting on campus in March 2024. According to reports from AP News, the woman, who requested anonymity due to concerns about retaliation, stated that Green kissed her and attempted to place his hand down her pants, prompting her to refuse and leave the encounter. She noted that she had never previously been alone with Green and had merely exchanged brief greetings with him.

After initially not reporting the incident, the woman decided to come forward following inquiries by Title IX investigators relating to Golden’s conduct, which allowed her to recognize potential patterns of inappropriate behavior among staff. She subsequently reported her allegations to Florida's deputy athletics director in mid-December.

Throughout this turmoil, head coach Golden defended Green's ongoing position within the program, asserting, “Green will be with us” during upcoming games while expressing his frustration with the narrative surrounding the situation. Golden criticized the breach of confidentiality inherent in Title IX investigations, urging others to avoid hasty judgments based solely on headlines, and argued that the process was designed to protect all parties involved.

The university's investigation into Golden, which has spanned several months, centers on accusations including sexual exploitation and harassment, wherein he allegedly made unwelcome advances and shared explicit content via social media. Like Green, Golden's contract prohibits romantic or sexual relationships with athletes and allows for disciplinary measures against actions deemed unfavorable to the university's reputation.

As the Florida basketball team prepares to face challenges on the court, the duo’s legal troubles loom large. Both men are significant figures within the program, with Green being a celebrated former player who won NCAA championships with the Gators, and Golden currently under scrutiny for his behavior. This unfolding situation raises serious questions about adherence to Title IX principles in college athletics, a crucial framework designed to safeguard against sexual misconduct in educational environments.

While this investigation unfolds, Florida continues to outsource its Title IX inquiries to Grand River Solutions, emphasizing the importance of a careful and thorough examination to uphold the integrity of its athletic program. For ongoing updates, follow AP News.