SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Todd Golden, who recently led USF to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998, has accepted a new position as head men’s basketball coach at the University of Florida, Director of Athletics Joan McDermott announced on Friday.
 
With the departure of Golden, associate head coach Chris Gerlufsen has officially been promoted to serve as the 21^st head coach of the Dons.
 
“Much of the success we had this season was because of the addition of Chris to our staff,” said Coach Golden. He is a great man, who is also an outstanding basketball coach.  There is no doubt in my mind that he will continue leading this program on its upward trajectory, and continue taking the Dons to new heights.  Chris will be a fantastic leader for this program moving forward.”
 
“We are extremely thankful for the foundation Coach Golden has provided for USF and the men’s basketball program and we wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors,” said McDermott. “Having had the opportunity to observe Coach Gerlufsen on the bench this season as well at Hawai’i and San Diego, we are thrilled to have his leadership and expertise for our student-athletes as we aim to continue our success both on and off the court.”
 
In his three years on the Hilltop, Golden compiled a 57-36 overall record, which included a 24-23 mark in West Coast Conference play. In his three years on the Hilltop, USF won 20+ games twice, including 24 wins in 2021-22, the most for the Dons since the program was reinstated in 1985-86. Under his guidance, USF student-athletes earned First Team All-WCC Honors three times, Second Team All-WCC Honors twice and Honorable Mention Honors three times.
 
Taking over the reins of the green and gold, Gerlufsen possesses a wealth of experience at the Division I level having made stops at Hawaii, San Diego, Hartford and The Citadel.
 
“I would like to thank Father Paul Fitzgerald, Director of Athletics Joan McDermott and Vice President of Business and Finance Charlie Cross for this unbelievable opportunity to lead our storied program here at USF,” said Gerlufsen. “My time here on the Hilltop has been nothing short of spectacular thus far.  I’m indebted to Coach Golden for his leadership and friendship and I know he will have continued success at the University of Florida.  I am ready to get to work immediately with our players to build on the foundation that has been laid as we will strive to continue to compete for West Coast Conference championships and national recognition.”
 
Prior to coming to the Hilltop, Gerlufsen served as the top assistant to head coach Eran Ganot at Hawaii. While at UH, he oversaw the guards and served as the Rainbow Warriors’ offensive coordinator. Gerlufsen also served as the acting head coach for Hawaii’s first 13 games in the 2019-20 season, including leading UH to upset wins over previously undefeated USF and West Coast Conference foe Pacific.
 
This past year, Gerlufsen was in charge of the offense for the Dons as the 45-year-old guided USF to finishing eleventh in the country in total three-point field goals made (327), sixteenth in three-point field goals per game (9.6) and thirty-second in scoring margin (9.6). Notably, Jamaree Bouyea and Yauhen Massalski, who Gerlufsen originally recruited at San Diego, earned First Team All-WCC Honors this season while Khalil Shabazz was named Second Team All-WCC.
 
Gerlufsen also spent four seasons as an assistant at San Diego from 2015-19, giving him familiarity with the West Coast Conference. During his time with the Toreros, USD experienced unprecedented success, posting back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in program history while advancing to the postseason both years. He finished his run with the Toreros in 2018-19 when San Diego earned a berth to the NIT.
 
At USD, Gerlufsen oversaw the guards, served as offensive coordinator and led USD’s global recruiting efforts, signing more than half dozen international players during his tenure. In his last two years with the Toreros, he coached a trio of all-conference selections, including Isaiah Pineiro, Olin Carter III and Isaiah Wright.
 
Prior to USD, he spent nine seasons on the bench as an assistant under head coach John Gallagher at the University of Hartford, the last two seasons of which he served as associate head coach. While at Hartford, his primary responsibilities included working with both the perimeter and post players as well as serving as the staff’s recruiting coordinator.
 
Gerlufsen graduated Randolph-Macon College in 1998 with a B.A. in Business and Economics and is a native of Philadelphia, PA.
 
“I want to sincerely thank Todd Golden for a successful and inspiring six years of coaching men’s basketball at USF, first as associate head coach and followed by three years as head coach,” said Father Paul Fitzgerald. “We wish him the very best of luck in his new position. From leading the Dons to their winningest season in the last 37 years, to our first March Madness appearance in 24 years, Todd’s dedication and enthusiasm have raised USF men’s basketball to new heights. We’re excited to welcome associate head coach Chris Gerlufsen to the role of head coach and we are looking forward to another exciting new season of Dons basketball on the Hilltop in the fall.”

COURTESY SAN FRANCISCO ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS