Todd Golden, the head coach of the University of Florida men's basketball team, is making history as the first Jewish coach to win a college basketball national title in nearly four decades. After leading the Gators to a dramatic championship victory last season, Golden now faces the challenge of defending the title with a largely new roster. His journey from playing professionally in Israel to coaching at the highest level in the United States has been marked by strong connections to his Jewish heritage and mentors, including Bruce Pearl. Golden reflects on his time in Israel and his ongoing ties to the Jewish community, both locally and abroad, while preparing for a new season filled with high expectations. Amidst increased attention on Jewish identity and campus climate, Golden expresses pride in his roots and looks forward to eventually returning to Israel with his family.