In today’s reactive world, genuine leadership has become increasingly rare.
When Florida Gators men’s basketball coach Todd Golden faced serious misconduct allegations before the season, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin had a critical choice to make:
Take the easy path and suspend Golden immediately to protect the university’s reputation
Stand firm in the principles of due process and support his coach while the investigation unfolds
Bow to external pressure demanding immediate action
Risk his own career by refusing to rush to judgment
Trust that the truth would eventually emerge
Your ability to lead isn’t measured during times of prosperity, but in moments of intense pressure and scrutiny. Most leaders crumble when faced with public outrage and cancel culture. But the greatest leaders understand that true courage means standing by your principles when it would be easier not to. This is exactly what Scott Stricklin did for Todd Golden and the Florida Gators.
Stricklin’s Bold Stance Against Cancel Culture
According to Orlando Sentinel’s Mike Bianchi, Stricklin’s approach was nothing short of revolutionary in our current climate.
The easy move would have been immediate suspension. After all, nobody predicted the Gators would become a national championship contender. The stakes seemed low, and the potential PR damage high.
But Stricklin chose a different path.
He allowed the investigation to proceed without prejudgment, keeping Golden in his position despite the serious nature of the allegations. This wasn’t just a basketball decision—it was a moral one.
The Athletic Director’s Powerful Explanation
Stricklin recently explained his decision-making process to Bianchi with remarkable clarity.
“Both morally and legally, it was the right thing to do,” Stricklin stated. “Anyone can make an allegation, but it doesn’t mean it’s true. He [Golden] has rights just like the people who make allegations have rights. And so there’s a process and we followed that process.”
This single sentence reveals everything you need to know about Stricklin’s character.
The Foundation of Trust That Made It Possible
Why was Stricklin able to stand firm when others would have folded?
It came down to a foundation of trust built over time:
Golden had consistently demonstrated honesty since their first meeting
Stricklin had developed a leadership philosophy built on investing in people
He understood that even successful individuals occasionally face challenges
He remembered Billy Donovan’s wisdom that great coaches overcome adversity without distraction
“Todd has been completely honest and truthful since I first met him and I had no reason to think that was any different in this situation,” Stricklin explained.
The Lesson Every Leader Should Take Away
The next time you’re faced with a crisis, remember Scott Stricklin.
Instead of reacting to public pressure, he stayed true to his principles and allowed due process to unfold. Rather than protecting his own reputation at all costs, he risked it by standing by his coach.
As Stricklin himself said, “You’re investing in people. And I have a lot of faith in our people.”
That’s what real leadership looks like.
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