Kelvin Sampson's career comes full circle with his best chance at first national title - ESPN

Editor's note: This story originally published ahead of Houston's semifinal game against Duke. It has been updated to reflect the win.

SAN ANTONIO — Kelvin Sampson reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, scrolling through more than 400 congratulatory texts.

He took a few minutes to wade through all of the well-wishes, then when he came across the message from longtime Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Sampson's voice choked with emotion.

«I'm the happiest person in San Antonio today,» Popovich wrote after Houston beat Tennessee in the Elite Eight to send Sampson to his second Final Four with the Cougars. «But not as happy as you, Karen and the family and your whole program built with grit, character and love. Bravo, my good friend.»

The five-time NBA champion told Sampson to enjoy the Final Four bid with a «good red» wine — wishes for a celebratory toast ring loud when they come from the same man who threw Sampson a career lifeline when he needed it most.

Shortly after Sampson resigned from Indiana amid intense scrutiny of NCAA violations in February 2008, Popovich invited him to join his coaching staff. Now, 17 years later, Sampson returns to San Antonio atop the profession, adding a third Final Four to his Hall of Fame résumé.

«He did,» Karen Sampson, Kelvin's wife, said when asked if Popovich saved her husband's career. «He called when a lot of people weren't calling and said, 'Get here as soon as you can.'»

The Sampsons are so appreciative of Popovich, Karen added, that they named a family dog after him: Poppy.

Two decades after Popovich took a strong stance in his corner — which the Cougars coach calls «a blessing» — Sampson has re-emerged atop the sport to lead one of college basketball's most