Just when the grappling world thought the legendary coach was done, Danaher proves that hip replacements are no match for pure determination
The BJJ community held its collective breath in February when John Danaher, the mastermind behind modern submission grappling, hinted at stepping away from high-level coaching. Fast forward to today, and the man who transformed leg locks from taboo to essential is back on the mats, proving that rumors of his retirement were greatly exaggerated.
The Scare That Shook Grappling
In February 2025, Danaher sent shockwaves through the grappling world with an Instagram post suggesting he might transition from coaching elite competitors to recreational students. The reason? His deteriorating hip condition was making the physical demands of coaching world-class athletes increasingly difficult.
“It felt like watching Jordan announce his baseball career,” said one longtime follower of New Wave Jiu-Jitsu. The thought of losing the sport’s most influential coach seemed almost unthinkable.
Surgery and Speculation
When Danaher underwent his second hip replacement surgery in May, many assumed this was the final chapter. Here was a man who had revolutionized an entire sport, created a generation of champions, and literally rewritten the rulebook on leg attacks – potentially forced into retirement by his own body.
The timing seemed particularly poignant given Gordon Ryan’s recent retirement announcement. Was this the end of the Danaher Death Squad era?
The Comeback Nobody Saw Coming
But John Danaher isn’t built like most people. Just weeks after major surgery, he was back in the gym, demonstrating techniques and coaching with the same intensity that made him legendary. In a recent training session, he opened up about his recovery: “I feel good.”
Those three simple words carried the weight of an entire community’s relief.
What This Means for Grappling
Danaher’s return isn’t just good news for his current students – it’s a victory for the sport itself. His systematic approach to grappling has influenced everyone from weekend warriors to world champions. His instructional series have democratized high-level techniques, and his coaching philosophy has shaped an entire generation of grapplers.
The man who once said “Today is a good day” before every training session is proving that some things – dedication, passion, and the relentless pursuit of perfection – can’t be stopped by something as mundane as joint replacement surgery.
