Sunnyslope Alumni Todd Golden (2003), the Florida Gators Men’s Basketball Head Coach, led his team to the National Title On April 7, defeating the Houston Cougars 65-63.
Golden’s team came back in the second half after facing a 12 point deficit with Point Guard Walter Clayton Jr. making the game winning block.
The win gives Florida its third national title and Golden his first as head coach.
Golden was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and played basketball here at Sunnyslope, being a part of the 2002 state championship team led by Arizona Hall of Fame Coach Dan Mannix.
Golden attributes much of his early success and inspiration to Mannix.
“One thing I’ve been incredibly fortunate with my entire career is being able to play for and be around really great coaches. It started at Sunnyslope with Dan Mannix,” said Golden in a press conference before the Final Four.
Golden always seemed to display an unmatched vigor towards winning, seen by his coaches and peers.
Mannix said, “I could see early on, [Todd] hated to lose, and in athletics, it starts with that.”
Teacher Justine Simon, and lifelong friend of Golden, said, “it’s always been him– just that incredible focus and the analytical piece that was always there.”
Golden was exemplary on and off the court during his time at Sunnyslope.
“He was very passionate about basketball and school, getting good grades was really important to him, being an overall good student was,” said Simon.
Along with being a model student athlete, Golden held a drive to succeed in whatever challenge was presented to him.
Mannix said, “Whatever endeavor he chose to partake in, he was going to be very successful.”
Golden decided in high school that that endeavor would be to play basketball at college.
During high school, “I was just praying that I could find a way to become a Division 1 basketball player, that was my goal,” Golden said during a press interview.
Golden’s dreams of playing college basketball came true, and he played for the Saint Mary’s University Gaels from 2004-2008.
After college, Golden played for the Maccabi Haifa in the Israel Basketball Premier League.
“I got to see him play in Israel too, that was something really special,” said Simon.
Golden’s time on the Maccabi Haifa came to an end in 2010 and he shifted his passion for basketball to another focus: coaching.
Golden worked as director of basketball operations and assistant coach at both Columbia University and Auburn University before becoming the head coach of the San Francisco Dons in 2019.
Golden was with the Dons until 2022 when he transferred to Florida under a 6 year contract for $18 million.
Even with his success in the coaching profession, Golden has kept Sunnyslope close to his heart.
“Sunnyslope, I’ll love it forever, just an incredible public school where I met so many different people from so many walks of life, I’m proud to [win] as a Viking,” said Golden.
Golden’s unwavering praise of Sunnyslope is a source of pride for the community.
Mannix said, “every chance he gets [Todd] praises Sunnyslope, and I appreciate that and I think the community appreciates it.”
