In a stellar recognition of leadership and talent, Florida's head coach Todd Golden has been named the Southeastern Conference's Coach of the Year for the 2025-26 season by the Associated Press. This accolade is a testament to Golden's exceptional guidance, as he swiftly led the Gators to remarkable heights, becoming the fastest coach in Florida's history to achieve 100 wins, surpassing Billy Donovan's record by 15 games.
The Gators, entering the SEC Tournament with an impressive 25-6 overall record and a 16-2 mark in conference play, are projected to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Golden's fourth season in Gainesville is shaping up to be his most impressive yet, especially considering the challenge of replacing three NBA Draft picks-Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard-and two key assistant coaches, John Andrzejek and Kevin Hovde.
Highlighting the Gators' success are junior forwards Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon, along with junior center Rueben Chinyelu, who have all earned spots on the AP's All-SEC teams. Haugh and Chinyelu both received First-Team honors, while Condon was named to the Second-Team.
Haugh, the team's leading scorer with 17.2 points per game, has been a cornerstone of Florida's offense. Standing at 6-foot-9, his blend of size and agility has consistently set the pace for the defending national champions. Haugh's standout season has also seen him join the 1,000-point club and earn recognition on multiple award watch lists, including the Naismith and Wooden Award lists.
Chinyelu, a defensive powerhouse, was named the SEC's Defensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Averaging a double-double with 11.4 points and a nation-leading 11.7 rebounds per game, Chinyelu shattered Florida's record for offensive rebounds in a single season, a feat that had remained untouched since the 1988-89 season. His 18 double-doubles tie a record set in the 1975-76 season.
Condon, a Third-Team All-SEC selection by coaches, has delivered career-high averages of 14.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. Like Haugh, Condon joined the 1,000-point club in February and was named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Midseason Top 10 List.
This trio marks the first time since 2014 that Florida has seen three players earn both AP and Coaches All-SEC honors, a feat previously achieved by Casey Prather, Scottie Wilbekin, and Patric Young. It's the sixth instance of such recognition in the program's history.
The AP's All-SEC teams and individual honors for the 2025-26 season are as follows:
First Team:
- Guard - Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas, Fr.
- Guard - Labaron Philon, Alabama, So.
- Guard - Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt, So.
- Forward - Thomas Haugh, Florida, Jr.
- Center - Rueben Chinyelu, Florida, Jr.
Second Team:
- Guard - Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State, So.
- Guard - Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee, Sr.
- Swingman - Dailyn Swain, Texas, Jr.
- Forward - Nate Ament, Tennessee, Fr.
- Forward - Alex Condon, Florida, Jr.
Individual Honors:
- Player of the Year - Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas.
- Coach of the Year - Todd Golden, Florida.
- Freshman of the Year - Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas.
- Newcomer of the Year - Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee.
The Gators' achievements this season highlight a blend of strategic coaching and standout individual performances, setting the stage for an exciting postseason.