The final game is here. It’s defense vs. offense. And this Florida vs. Houston is giving us everything we asked for—two gritty squads, stars, and barely anything separating them. Florida clawed back against Texas Tech, then rolled past Auburn to lock in their shot at the title. Houston, on the other hand, pulled off an insane comeback against Duke that still has fans talking. With Walter Clayton Jr. and L.J. Cryer stealing the spotlight, you’d think all eyes would be on the players, right? Well, not quite. Because just before tip-off, fans on social media found something else to comment on—Todd Golden’s fashion choices.

Traditionally, NCAA Championship games have been a showcase not just for basketball but for courtside style. Legends like John Wooden and Dean Smith set the standard with sharp suits, while modern icons like Jay Wright and Bill Self have kept the tailored look alive. Even Kelvin Sampson, known for his understated polos, has a consistent brand that fans recognize. But just as the coaches have their distinct identities, so too do their teams on the court.

Both coaches, Kelvin Sampson and Florida’s head coach, Golden, brought different styles of play. Sampson brought Houston in with that lockdown defense—best in the nation. Golden rode in with Gators’ high-powered offense—second-best in the country. It’s also a face-off between two cold-blooded guards. LJ Cryer, the grad guard from Texas has been a walking bucket when it counts, putting up 15.6 points a night with that smooth, steady presence.

And across the court is Walter Clayton Jr. Florida’s senior guard has been nothing short of a revelation—dropping 18.5 points, 3.7 boards, and 4.1 assists per game. He’s been their heartbeat, their closer, their go-to guy when the lights are brightest. Both of these ballers have dragged their squads to the doorstep of glory.

But you know, when the big moment came in San Antonio, the sidelines had a different attraction. One thing that was in perfect sync was the head coaches’ kicks. Yes, both coaches were out there in fresh Air Jordans. You’d think they coordinated or something—the shoes were clean, crisp, and definitely championship-worthy.

Golden rocked the ‘Midnight Navy’ Jordan 4s, a sleek nod to Florida’s colors, while Sampson opted for the ‘Fire Red’ Jordan 3s, which was a bold pop against his signature black polo. The kicks were a hit—clean, championship-caliber, and a subtle flex of sneaker culture.

But the contrast with Golden’s grey pullover, zipped to the chin, and Sampson’s plain polo started a whole different conversation. Where the shoes said ‘big moment,’ the tops screamed ‘practice day,’ leaving fans split between admiration and confusion.

Golden and Sampson’s Air Jordans tapped into college hoops’ growing sneaker obsession—players like Walter Clayton Jr. and L.J. Cryer have been rocking heat all season, and coaches are following suit.

But while the sneakers got nods of approval, the fits not so much. See, coaches usually come through for big games with some drip—tailored suits, sleek shoes, the whole nine. Even on the women’s side, Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey are known for how to put on a fashion show while running the show. But Golden said, “I’m good.”

The coach pulled up to the national championship game… in the same trusty Florida pullover we saw all season in just different colours, white, grey and blue, This time, it was a grey version. That’s it. No blazer, no buttons. And the internet is absolutely cooking him. We do respect to him for staying true to his vibe, though. 

Todd Golden’s fit sparks ‘icks’ 

One said, “I don’t like how Todd Golden zips his pullovers all the way to the top like that.” More than what he wore, it was how he wore it. Zipping the pullover to the very top gave off serious middle school gym teacher energy. It made the whole fit feel stiff and overly casual. Maybe a layer peeking out could’ve saved him. 

Another echoed the same, “Bro zips it to the top shelf. Crazy.” At times it even makes you wonder, like, how is he breathing under there? Now it wasn’t just Golden turning heads for the wrong reasons. “Todd Golden and Kevin Sampson should be fined by the NCAA for not wearing suits,” a third joked. 

Sampson pulled up in his plain black polo tee, that’s his signature one. So it looks like  both coaches had their minds locked on just that title, nothing else than that. To make things even funnier, someone out there said, “Reminds me of Vector from Despicable Me…” Golden reminded them of Vector from Despicable Me. 

Yus, that Vector—the one in the orange tracksuit who lives in his own little cartoon world, completely oblivious to everyone else. To his fans, Golden gave off that exact energy. While other coaches are out here bringing the heat courtside, Golden couldn’t care less and was in his own world. Another fan wrote, “Giving all the ick.”

But here’s the thing. Ick or not, Golden’s been rocking that pullover since forever, and look where it’s gotten him. Maybe it’s his good luck charm. Maybe it’s part of the brand. And he’s still one of the best young coaches out there with a long career ahead. 

So, who knows? Maybe one day, we will see him in a suit.