Todd Golden replacements as next Florida Gators head basketball coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Golden State Warriors are expected to pursue Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden to replace Steve Kerr, if the NBA champion doesn't return for the 2026-27 season. This would leave a void in Gainesville at a critical time for the program.
Florida just revamped the roster with projected 2026 NBA lottery pick Thomas Haugh announcing his return next season. They're also a front-runner for the AP preseason No. 1 spot and are expected to be one of the top SEC teams.
If the Gators are without Golden, where does this leave the list of possible replacements? Here's a look at who could step into the fold if Golden is NBA bound.
The most logical replacement for Golden would be the one-time Florida coach who led the program to back-to-back national championships. Donovan, who recently stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, can hit the ground running in his old stomping ground. The biggest "what if" for Donovan making a transition back to college is the hump of the NIL era. There's no doubt Donovan is equipped to handle the state of the semi-pro landscape, but the game has rapidly evolved over the past decade since he's been in the NBA.
After the historic season for Miami (OH), one name to watch over the next couple of years will be Steele. He has put together consecutive 25-win seasons and would certainly shine at a bigger university with more resources. One key aspect to taking on Steele is he would be one of the most affordable options in terms of a buyout.
This one is a true wild card. If the Magic get rid of Mosley, he wouldn't have to go far. Just a bit over 100 miles separates Gainesville from Orlando on the map. Mosley would get the opportunity to make an impact in college as a true player's coach. While his current NBA tenure might come to a conclusion soon, his coaching journey could take another turn, and one that's more rewarding for the longtime coach.
More: Todd Golden buyout, contract details as Florida Gators coach
Golden’s resume speaks for itself, and he's ready for the next step. Four seasons into his tenure, the national championship-winning coach became the fastest to reach 100 wins. If Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin wants to keep Golden from leaving, now's the time to back up the Brinks truck and allocate the max amount of resources. Otherwise, expect Golden to be gone sooner rather than later.
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