In just three short seasons, Todd Golden has returned the Florida basketball program back to competing at a national championship-caliber level.
Fresh off a come-from-behind win against SEC foe Auburn in the Final Four of the men's NCAA Tournament, the Gators coach has led Florida to the national championship game against No. 1 Houston for the first time in nearly two decades.
A win on Monday at the Alamodome in San Antonio would not only put Golden's name in the same conversation of Billy Donovan as the only two Florida coaches to win a national title, but it would also add his name to the March Madness history books by becoming the youngest coach since Jim Valvano to cut down the nets.
To reach that feat and add a national championship title to his still-developing head coaching resume, Golden must first find a way to lead Florida to another comeback win by finding a way to score against Houston's No. 1 ranked defense in the country.
Here's what you need to know on the youngest coaches to win the NCAA Tournament:
Who is the youngest coach to win March Madness?
As noted by the NCAA Final Four record book, The youngest coach to win the men's NCAA Tournament is former Indiana coach Branch McCraken, who was 31 years, 9 months and 21 days old when he led the Hoosiers to their first national title in 1940.
Todd Golden age
Golden is 39 years old. As previously noted by USA TODAY, Golden is one of 13 head coaches under the age of 40 who have taken a team to the Final Four since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams ahead of the 1984-85 season.
Youngest coaches to win March Madness
If Florida comes out on top against Houston in the national championship game, Golden would be the youngest coach since Valvano to lead a program to the mountain top of men's college basketball.
Here's a list of the youngest ...
