Villanova University

Brett Gunning Hometown: Bryn Mawr, Pa. Position: Associate Head Coach Birthdate: 08/03/1972 Experience: Seventh Season Alma Mater: UNLV ('94)

The longest tenured member of Jay's Wright's staff is Associate Head Coach Brett Gunning, recognized this off-season as one of the top 25 assistants in the nation by rivals.com. Gunning has been a part of Wright's staffs at both Hofstra and, for the last six years, at Villanova.

For Gunning the return to Villanova was a homecoming. A product of Broomall, Pa., Gunning graduated from nearby Malvern Prep in 1990 and spent two years as an undergraduate at Villanova before accompanying former head coach Rollie Massimino to UNLV in 1992.

In his current position Gunning is responsible for an assosrtment of duties, including on-court teaching, recruiting and scouting. In this capacity he contributed to the development of such recent Villanova standouts such as Randy Foye, Kyle Lowry, and Allan Ray, all of whom enter their second season in the National Basketball Association in 2007-08.

Gunning's role in recruiting has been essential to Villanova's recent success. He played a vital role in the process that brough in such current standouts as Dante Cunningham, Shane Clark and BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Scottie Reynolds as well as a class of incoming 2007 freshmen ranked among the nation's best classes.

Prior to his return to VU, Gunning was an integral part of the rebirth Wright orchestrated at Hofstra University for seven seasons. Gunning, 34, assisted with recruiting, individual instruction, scouting, and film analysis. He also was instrumental in the development of players with the Pride.

"Brett is known within basketball circles as one of the top assistant coaches in the country," states Wright. "He maintains a low profile but in the NBA and college basketball he is greatly respected for his knowledge and ability to teach."

Gunning grew up as a Villanova basketball fan and attended Massimino's basketball camps. He spent two years as a team manager before moving with Massimino to UNLV in 1992. Then he served two years as a student assistant along with Massimino and Wright with the `Runnin Rebels, earning his bachelor of arts degree in 1994.