Who Are We?
On the Right Path (OTRP) is a non-profit organization founded in 2020 by former NBA Assistant Coach Brett Gunning.
Gunning has spent 26 years coaching in the NCAA and the NBA. He began his career in 1994 as an assistant coach for Jay Wright at Hofstra University. Over the next seven seasons, he was a part of a staff that turned Hofstra into an American East powerhouse, posting a 72-22 (.766) record from 1998-2001. He was very instrumental in the development of the Pride players, as well as assisted with recruiting, scouting and film analysis.
He then went on to spend seven seasons (2001-08) as a member of the coaching staff at Villanova University, again working under the leadership of Head Coach Jay Wright. During his time with the Wildcats, Gunning played a vital role in recruiting and developing a unit that secured four straight NCAA Tournament berths and made three trips to the Sweet 16. He was named associate coach in 2005 and was recognized following the 2007-08 season as one of the top 25 assistants in the nation by Rivals.com. Gunning’s responsibilities with Villanova included on-court teaching, recruiting and scouting.
Gunning’s NBA career began when he joined the Houston Rockets in 2008 as the team’s director of player development. In that role, he was responsible for improving player performance through on-court, one-on-one skill development and the use of video analysis. He was later named an assistant coach for Rockets prior to the 2011-12 season before leaving to serve in that same role with the Orlando Magic for three seasons from 2012-13 through 2014-15. He then returned to the Rockets as an assistant coach in 2015, and from 2016-2020 he assisted head coach Mike D’Antoni coordinate the Rockets offensive scheme. During the 2017-18 season, the Rockets won a franchise record 65 games, and advanced to the Western Conference Finals.
Educated by Hall of Famers
Gunning had the privilege of working with Naismith Hall of Fame coaches Jay Wright and Rick Adelman, both inducted in 2021, as well as Hall of Fame player Kevin McHale, inducted in 1999.
Learned From Legends
Gunning had the opportunity to learn from legendary coach Pete Newell at his famed Big Man Camps in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Newell is one of only three coaches to guide teams to NCAA and NIT championships, as well as an Olympic gold medal, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in basketball history.
Early Days With Coach Mass
Gunning fell in love with the game of basketball and the coaching profession while serving as a student-assistant under the legendary coach Rollie Massimino, who famously led Villanova to victory in the 1985 NCAA Championship, widely regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
“Over my 26 years in coaching, I’ve been able to see the beginning, middle, and end of many players’ journey’s…journey’s that have culminated in NBA Hall-of-Fame Careers, NBA MVP Awards, NBA Championship Game Appearances, NBA All-Star Game Appearances, NCAA Final 4 Appearances…as well as journey’s that have not ended so well (being cut, being traded, etc.).
The one common thread with those who make it vs. those who don’t is that the one’s who make it have a strong foundation of basketball fundamentals and life skills.
That is why I started On the Right Path. My life’s passion now is to try to pass that wisdom on to as many people as possible, whether that be players, coaches or parents. In the spirit of Pete Newell, the goal is to try and help one person get better, maximize their potential, and achieve their dreams!”
Brett Gunning
