The rumors about Todd Golden's future with the Florida Gators have been spinning out of control since the season ended. First, there was the belief that North Carolina would be very interested in him after firing Hubert Davis, but the Tar Heels eventually hired Michael Malone. And more recently, Golden's name has been floated for the Golden State Warriors job if Steve Kerr decides to leave.
But for now, Golden is still in Gainesville and after Tuesday's decision by Thomas Haugh to return to school, it would be a shock to see the 40-year-old coach leaving for at least one more season.
Florida junior Thomas Haugh -- a projected potential lottery pick -- will return to the Gators next season, he tells me, @JeremyWoo and @jeffborzello. With the 2027 Player of the Year candidate back in the fold, Florida becomes the favorite to open next season at No. 1. pic.twitter.com/mfxOlFm3Wm
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 21, 2026
That tweet from ESPN's Shams Charania tells a larger story. Haugh, who was projected as a fringe lottery pick for the upcoming NBA Draft, is going to be a Player of the Year candidate, possibly the favorite, and the Gators, with Haugh and Alex Condon officially back, are likely to open the season at No. 1. It's just going to be hard for Golden to leave all of that. Even if the opportunity to coach Steph Curry seems too good to pass up.
Thomas Haugh's return says a lot about Todd Golden's plans
I don't think any Gators fan is delusional enough to think Golden is going to be in Gainesville forever. Things could always change, but it would be hard to bet on Golden having a 20-season run with Florida similar to what Billy Donovan had. He is already being mentioned for NBA jobs and eventually those are going to be hard to pass up. Golden already has a championship under his belt, and it would be understandable for him to take on another challenge down the road.
But Haugh's comments to ESPN suggest that he's back in large part because of how much he likes playing for Golden.
"Most guys in my position in the draft, it would be a no-brainer to go to the NBA," Haugh said. "It's not just the NIL. It's a chance to play with my boys. To play for coach [Todd] Golden. To go to the school I love to play for. It was definitely a tougher decision than last year, but it was best for my career and future."
If it's best for Haugh's career to stay in Gainesville for another year, it's probably best for Golden to do the same.
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