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Our Coaches
Head Professor
Max McGarr, Renzo Gracie & John Danaher third degree black belt
Renzo Gracie Academy has a long history founded on the shoulders of legends both here and gone. Our coaches continue that legacy, having earned their belts from Max McGarr, third degree black belt directly under Renzo Gracie and John Danaher.
Max McGarr
Max McGarr is Head Professor of Renzo Gracie Academy's Reno location and a third degree black belt directly under Master Renzo Gracie and John Danaher.
A two-time cancer survivor, two-time gold medal PanAm champion, and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, Max has spent half his life training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and Muay Thai. He spent over 16 years training directly with Master Renzo and John Danaher in New York City.
Max taught fundamentals, advanced gi, no-gi submission grappling, and MMA at the flagship Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City for over 10 years. He was a student favorite and held packed classes daily. He moved to Reno, NV in late 2017 and opened Nevada's first Renzo Gracie location.
Max holds a Bachelors in human movement and sports science, where he held an assistant teaching position in physics. He attended graduate school for biomechanics and physical therapy. Max teaches full-time at Renzo Gracie Academy here in Reno, NV.
"This academy has put out a huge number of champions over the years. One of the most important figures in the development of those athletes was Max McGarr." –John Danaher
Damon Ramos
Damon is a Renzo Gracie black belt under our head professor, Max McGarr. Damon is a 2024 and 2022 ADCC +99 veteran, 2x ADCC trials finalist (2021, 2023), 2x IBJJF Worlds brown belt ultra heavyweight medalist, Submission Pro Tour no-gi heavyweight champion, and is 4-0 in Fight2Win. Damon is a methodical, detail-oriented instructor that specializes in takedowns, leg locks, and body lock passing.
Tim Principe
Tim is a Renzo Gracie black belt under our head professor, Max McGarr. Tim is a UNR alumni, where he studied anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. He is a two-time Fight2Win Pro Champion and Submission ProTour Sacramento Advanced Division Winner. Tim is a patient instructor with a strong focus on self-defense and Fundamentals, and directs our law enforcement training program for active LEOs.
Andy McKennie
Andy is a Renzo Gracie black belt under our head professor, Max McGarr. Andy is an IBJJF Pan No-Gi 2022 gold medalist, and IBJJF International Open 2022 gold medalist. He holds two degrees from UNR and Georgia Tech, is a Captain at the Reno Fire Department, a former critical care flight paramedic, and an ex-SWAT medic. Andy is a very detailed instructor with excellent lesson plans, often focusing on Z-guard, arm saddle, and guard retention.
Adam Lauritzen
Adam is a Renzo Gracie brown belt under our head professor, Max McGarr. He served in the United States Marine Corps for over 7 years and owns Silverback Strength and Conditioning in Reno. Adam's focus as a jiu-jitsu instructor is on proper biomechanics and leverage.
Looking for our kids program coaches? Click here for our jiu-jitsu kids class coach biographies.
