Florida head coach Todd Golden is now one of college basketball’s highest-paid coaches, but his new deal leaves the door open for an NBA jump.
As reported by Adam Luckett of On3.com, Golden’s contract extension includes a specific opt-out clause that makes a move to the NBA more attainable than a switch to another NCAA program.
The buyout figures if Golden leaves for another college job range from $11 million to $16 million over the next two seasons.
However, if he leaves for the NBA, the buyout is significantly reduced—$3 million in 2025-26, $2 million in both 2026-27 and 2027-28, and just $1 million in 2028-29.
Golden, 39, led Florida to a 36-4 season and the program’s first NCAA title since 2007.
This breakthrough came in just his third year with the Gators, a tenure that began after Mike White’s departure in 2022.
Florida’s dominant 2024-25 campaign included an SEC tournament title and victories over top-ranked Auburn and Alabama.
The Gators earned a No. 1 seed in the West Region and went on to defeat Houston in the national championship game.
Following that historic run, Golden received a six-year, $40.5 million extension from the school.
While the Gators locked in their coach with a major pay raise, the contract structure suggests an openness to future NBA interest.
Golden addressed the NBA clause, saying, “It’s more of just kind of keeping that opportunity potentially available down the road.”
He added that it’s not a major focus at the moment, but that it made sense to build flexibility into the contract.
Golden was also named a finalist for the 2025 Naismith Coach of the Year award.
