JASON MONTOYA

Coach Jason began training the Spring of 2016 and has been hooked every since. Being a fan of MMA, he loved the submissions and grappling the most and realized how effective the ground game is. Coach Jason shares that: “Jiu Jitsu has been a catalyst for my personal development and I am a much better human being today because of Jiu Jitsu and the great team I am surrounded by. My favorite part of coaching is the opportunity to positively influence the students — the same way I have been positively influenced through training and access to a great team. I wholeheartedly believe that Jiu Jitsu can change someone’s life. Everyone at Team Passos will welcome you into the family with open arms as soon as you walk through the doors and will work with you to achieve all your goals both on the mat and off.”

DAVE LEE

Coach Dave Lee is a brown belt under Tony Passos. He began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007. While searching for more exciting form of exercise, he discovered BJJ and never looked back. He joined Team Passos in 2015 and began coaching due to his passion for BJJ and his desire to share that with other students.

MATT HERMAN

Coach Matt is a pillar in our Fundamentals program. He welcomes and partners with newer students on the mat to help them learn proper Jiu Jitsu while also making it a fun experience. He is a hard worker and is always willing to chip in to help at the academy wherever he sees the need. Coach Matt is extremely focused on the growth of his Jiu Jitsu and embraces the process of getting out of his comfort zone in order to learn the art of Jiu Jiu and grow both on and off the mat. We are extremely grateful for Coach Matt and all he brings to Team Passos!

MEGAN FISHER

Coach Megan is a purple belt under Professor Tony Passos. She started her Jiu Jitsu journey in November 2012 while living abroad in China. After moving home to America she began training at an affiliate gym, The Winchester Jiu Jitsu Academy, which led her to join Team Passos in 2018. Coach Megan enjoys the challenge of competition but is most driven by her passion to share Jiu Jitsu through coaching. She is also dedicated to building women’s presence on the mat and leads women’s training events at Team Passos and affiliate gyms. She is married to a wonderful husband and enjoys a fulfilling career as a physical therapist assistant.

JIMMY NAUGLE

Coach Jimmy is a black belt under Professor Tony Passos. He was one of the first Team Passos students well over a decade ago. He is a true example of what consistency in training can accomplish while also being a husband and dad and building a career. Coach Jimmy has always been a great source of encouragement to everyone at the academy. His quick wit and the jokes he brings to the mat make the process of learning the art of Jiu Jitsu even more fun.

ANDREW POTOCKO

Coach Andrew Potocko is a purple belt under Professor Tony Passos. He began training Jiu Jitsu in 2011 while working and attending college part-time. Coach Andrew played multiple sports growing up, including soccer, ice hockey, lacrosse, and golf. The transition to Jiu Jitsu came after high school as “a way to exercise and stay healthy in a structured and disciplined environment.”

In 2013, Coach Andrew competed in the IBJJF World Championships and placed third in his division. During this time, he also started teaching Jiu-Jitsu as an Assistant Coach in the Kids “Zoo-Jitu” and Adults Fundamentals programs. He enjoys helping the students understand the basic concepts and skills to provide them with a foundational knowledge of the sport. Coach Andrew’s experience as a coach inspired him to study education and kinesiology at the University of Maryland.

PAUL ROBINSON

As a purple belt under Professor Tony Passos, Coach Paul assists in teaching the kids’ classes. Having spent years learning Jiu Jitsu, he enjoys teaching the kids as a way to give back and to ensure that the knowledge of Jiu Jitsu gets passed on. Coach Paul is also a second degree black belt in karate. His inspiration to train Jiu Jitsu came from the way it applies basic principles to great effect. The most fulfilling aspect of teaching the kids class is to see how quickly the kids learn and apply the art. His teaching methodology emphasizes both mental and physical skills. He encourages the kids to think through their decisions of what technique to choose and why and then the correct method to implement. Coach Paul believes that by learning BJJ, the kids are able to gain a mental framework to succeed in school and life while maintaining a physically active lifestyle.

Josh Pike

Coach Joshua Pike is a brown belt under Professor Tony Passos. He began training Jiu Jitsu at the age of thirteen in Team Passos Zoo-Jitsu kids program.. At that time, Coach Josh’s little sister had wanted to try Jiu Jitsu so he and his brothers accompanied her so that she would not be alone.

Coach Josh loves being able to see the joy that students experience while they are learning the art. Josh began teaching in the fall of 2011 in State College, Pennsylvania while attending school at Penn State University. He realized quickly that he had a passion to help others grow and succeed in life through Jiu Jitsu. Coach Josh loves to train because “it can allow us to achieve anything in life.” Josh graduated with a degree in kinesiology from the University of Pennsylvania and wishes to continue training to become a World Champion while attending graduate school.

Below are the most recent competitions Josh has competed and placed in:

Fight 2 Win Pro 82 Winner – brown belt lightweight champion
Fight 2 Win Pro 70 Winner
2018 Atlanta Winter Open 2nd Place
Fight 2 Win Pro 53 Winner – Submission of the night
Fight 2 Win Pro 42 Winner
2017 Atlanta Winter Open 1st place
2016 Miami Winter Open 2nd place
2016 Long Beach Winter Open 1st place
2016 IBJJF Atlanta Winter Open – 1st Place
2015 IBJJF Seattle Open – 1st Place
2013 IBJJF New York Open – 3rd Place
2011 IBJJF New York Open – 2nd Place
2009 IBJJF World Championships – 3rd Place

Tony Passos

Professor Tony Passos is one of the few Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts under Ricardo de la Riva. He is currently an IBJJF certified third degree black belt. Professor Tony is also proud member and coach of Team Atos Jiu Jitsu.

Professor Tony started training Jiu-Jitsu at 18 years old in Recife, Brazil and began teaching in 2002. He has trained with and learned from world champions such as Andre Galvao, Guto Campos, Claudio Calasans and many others.

Tony has won and medaled in many prestigious competitions such as:

IBJJF Chicago Open 2013
IBJJF Chicago Open 2012
IBJJF Pan American Championships 2011
Abu Dhabi Pro 2010
IBJJF Pan American Championships 2010
IBJJF Houston Open 2010
IBJJF US National Championships 2009
BJJF Miami Open 2009
Having retired from competing to pursue his passion of teaching and coaching, Professor Tony coaches some of the top world Jiu Jitsu athletes on the biggest world stages of Jiu Jitsu.. He brings the skill and experience of an accomplished BJJ practitioner and world-renowned coach to his local students and affiliates.
Professor Tony has dedicated himself to the development of his students both on and off the mat. He works closely with all of his students on goal settings and developing personal training plans and competition strategies. His gift of teaching and exceptional knowledge of Jiu Jitsu allows him to break down a complex position in a step-by-step, easily understood manner. His teaching style consists of explaining a position from various angles while tailoring the instruction to best suit the student’s learning style and body style.
Professor Tony also works with each of our coaches and affiliates to pass along this holistic approach to Jiu Jitsu and comprehension of the art so that our students will be able to understand and apply the art of Jiu Jitsu at the highest level.

Above all, Professor Tony believes that Jiu Jitsu allows anyone to improve and transform their own lives through focus and consistently putting in the work on the mat while enjoying the journey together.