Todd Golden Celebrates $50,000 Bonus Following Florida’s National Championship Victory
Todd Golden led the Florida Gators to win the 2025 NCAA National Championship. The Gators beat the Houston Cougars 65–63 in a nail-biting game. This win gave the Gators their third title in basketball history. Golden earned a $50,000 bonus for the win. His total bonus this year now stands at $175,000. This reward honors his hard work all season.
After the game, Golden talked with CBS reporter Tracy Wolfson on court. He smiled as he credited his team. The Gators fell behind by 12 points at one time. Still, Golden trusted their power. He said, "We did what we did all year. We stayed the course. We have the best backcourt in America. I think we have the best frontcourt in America. And like we’ve done all year, we made plays when we needed them most.” His words came straight from his heart.
He added, "We guarded our butts off down the stretch! We made every 50-50 winning play. The Gators are natty baby! We got the natty baby! Let’s goooo!" His shout showed his pride and the team’s hard work.
This championship is Florida’s first men’s basketball title since 2007. It also makes Golden the youngest head coach to win a national title since Jim Valvano in 1983. The team faced fierce rivals during the season. Their win proved their skill and resolve.
Several players shone during the game. Alex Condon scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and recorded four steals in 28 minutes. Will Richard starred by scoring 14 points in the first half. He finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Walter Clayton, Jr. found it tough against Houston. He scored 11 points, collected five rebounds, and served seven assists. His play earned him the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player award.
On Houston’s side, LJ Cryer led his team by scoring 19 points. He also took six rebounds and passed twice. J’Wan Roberts added eight points and eight rebounds. Still, the Cougars fell short of their goal.
The Gators ended the season with a strong 35–4 record. They claimed the SEC Tournament Championship and captured the national title. Their only losses were against Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Georgia. This record shows how dominant they were on the court.
Fans and players continue to celebrate into the early hours. Todd Golden and the Gators look ahead to a bright future, united by their hard work and success.
