Florida Gators legend, assistant Taurean Green accused of sexual assault by athletics employee

Basketball

0

Image Credit: UAA

Former Florida Gators star Taurean Green, a two-time national champion point guard who is now an assistant coach and head of player development with the program, has been accused of sexual assault by an employee of the University Athletic Association, according to a Title IX report that was reviewed by ESPN. The woman who filed the complaint is choosing to remain anonymous at this time.

Green is accused of arranging to meet the alleged victim in March 2024 at an on-campus facility where he “kissed her and tried to put his hand down her pants.” After she denied his advances, Green attempted again leading to the complainant fleeing the scene. She confirmed the details of her complaint to ESPN further stating that there was no prior relationship between them either casually or formally — even as co-workers.

The University of Florida cited a law that prohibits the school from commenting on Title IX investigations promising to conduct “a thorough and deliberate process that ensures due process for everyone” in a statement to ESPN. It is federal law that schools cannot comment during ongoing Title IX actions.

The accusation against Green comes as Gators head coach Todd Golden is himself under a Title IX investigation amid allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment of multiple female students.

Golden has been coaching the Gators all season — Florida is off to its best start in 17 years — as his inquiry continues. The coach has publicly stated his innocence and threatened a defamation lawsuit against his accusers. As with Green, neither UF nor the UAA have been legally able to comment.

Among the allegations levied against Golden are that the third-year coach made unwanted sexual advances toward women, including asking for explicit sexual favors and sending unrequested pictures of his genitals. He is also alleged to have stalked women in person — sending women photos of themselves he took in public, attending locations where he would encounter them — and online by using social media likes and follows as a means of getting their attention.

Green’s accuser told ESPN she did not submit a Title IX complaint until December 2024 — six months after the incident — due to concerns over Green’s prominent role; however, after being contacted by investigators seeking information about Golden, she thought coming forward could provide insight into a potential pattern of behavior within the program.

Green rejoined Florida ahead of the 2022-23 season as director of player development for Golden’s first campaign. Green was promoted this offseason. Golden agreed to a two-year extension in March 2024 through the 2029-30 season.

The Gators finished just under .500 in Year 1 under Golden before significantly improving in 2023-24 going 24-12 (11-7 SEC) with their first NCAA Tournament berth in three seasons. Florida is presently 15-2 (2-2 SEC) and ranked among the top five teams nationally.

One of athletic director Scott Stricklin’s signature acquisitions — arguably the most successful given his first three external coaching hires are no longer at Florida amid a variety of misdeeds — Golden would be the latest in a long line of problematic coaches hired by Stricklin should these allegations prove out.