Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

John Danaher Faces Major Potential Change To His Coaching Career

John Danaher Faces Major Potential Change To His Coaching Career

New Wave Jiu-Jitsu coach John Danaher teased a potential move from competition coaching to recreational coaching in a new Instagram post

Feb 14, 2025 by Joe Gilpin
John Danaher Faces Major Potential Change To His Coaching Career

In unexpected news, Brazilian jiu-jitsu professor John Danaher announced on his Instagram that he may be forced to make a major change to his coaching focus with another major surgery looming. The revolutionary grappling coach, who has led athletes like Gordon Ryan, Giancarlo Bodoni, Helena Crevar, and many more to world-level success, explained that an upcoming surgery may make him shift his coaching career from competitive athletes to recreational students.

Professor Danaher has well-documented injury issues dating back to rugby and eight years ago had to get his hip replaced. Now, he is likely going to have to have his other hip and both knees replaced soon to prevent further issues. As a result of all of these surgeries and injuries, John writes;

As such I will most likely have to make a reappraisal of my role in Jiu jitsu coaching. I hope that given enough time I can return to high level coaching but it may be that I have to switch focus to more recreational Jiu jitsu coaching.

This would be a significant loss for the competitive grappling community. John has been a revolutionary force within the sport, with his students regularly leading the charge in developing new systems and techniques that then permeate the competitive landscape. The growth of the sport over the last decade can be tied to these students and the submission-heavy style that John has helped develop.

While his students have developed into very good teachers, and perhaps someone like Gordon Ryan himself could take over the responsibilities of leading Team New Wave, there's no replacing the man who put it all in motion. We wish John all the best in his upcoming surgeries and look forward to whatever is next from him.

Watch BJJ On FloGrappling

FloGrappling is the streaming home to the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu events and news coverage. FloGrappling is the streaming home of: 

Join The BJJ Conversation By Following FloGrappling On Social