Head Coach
C. Ryan Quinn is widely acclaimed as the preeminent Submission Grappler in Queens. With a career marked by excellence and a passion for the art of Jiu-Jitsu, Professor Quinn has made his mark on both the national and international stages.
Professor Quinn earned his black belt while training at the Renzo Gracie Academy headquarters in Manhattan under world-renowned Ivy-League professor turned Jiu-Jitsu coach, John Danaher. He trained alongside standout practitioners Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, Eddie Cummings, and Nicky Ryan, eventually receiving his black belt directly from Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts legend Renzo Gracie. In addition to his Jiu-Jitsu expertise, Professor Quinn is a well-rounded martial artist, holding a brown belt in Judo, and remains devoted to his study of Freestyle and Folkstyle wrestling under the guidance of Olympian Brandon Escobar.
Professor Quinn’s competitive journey has seen him represent the United States on the international stage, competing in the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championships at the purple belt level. As a brown belt, he went on to secure victories at prestigious events such as the IBJJF New York International Open, both in Gi & No-Gi. He also won four Championship belts in the NAGA Expert division. As a black belt, he became the Rise Invitational 185lb Champion, winning the belt in a tournament that saw him defeat all comers by submission, with each match ending in under a minute.
It’s not just his competitive achievements that set Professor Quinn apart; his coaching philosophy is equally distinctive. He presents Jiu-Jitsu as a cerebral endeavor, making it accessible to practitioners of all levels. His teaching approach combines clear and concise instruction with overarching, universal concepts. Professor Quinn places a strong emphasis on fun and effective games that help build essential skills, ensuring that his students not only understand the techniques but also cultivate a deep appreciation for the art of Jiu-Jitsu.
José was born in Venezuela and began training Jiu-Jitsu 15 years ago in Miami, Fl. Currently, he is graduate student at NYU Center for Neuroscience. When he’s not solving consciousness or berimbolo dilemmas, Jose enjoys freestyle rapping and theoretical physics. J
Lizz was born in Texas but moved to NYC in 2013 to teach high school mathematics. With no previous experience in sports besides a run at the Texas state championship in peewee bowling, she started jiu-jitsu in 2015 at Queens Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Quinn. Lizz is currently a doctoral candidate at Teachers College, Columbia University, in anthropology, and has spent considerable time researching and training in Brazil over the last decade. When not teaching or training jiu jitsu, or trudging along on writing her dissertation, Lizz enjoys reading up on politics, history, and bizarre subreddits wormholes.
Matteo fell in love with Jiu Jitsu in 2003 and has been practicing ever since. He also holds a Second Dan Shotokan Karate black belt, and loves Judo, which he’d like to learn more of.
Matteo shares dungeon master responsibilities for two kids and a tuxedo cat with his awesome wife, who is mandated by law to tolerates his antics. He loves a physical challenge, cooking, learning about math, and has the ultimate Stoic goal of becoming a better human being.
Joel is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has been training since 2012. His coaching style is grounded in the belief that BJJ is as much a mental and emotional practice as it is a physical one. As a trauma specialist and advocate for mental health, he integrates mindfulness, nervous-system awareness, and supportive communication into his teaching. Joel’s goal is to create training environments where students build skill, confidence, and inner calm—both on the mats and in everyday life
Born and raised in Queens, Coach Kevin began wrestling in high school, becoming New York City Champion. Continuing his wrestling training in college, his effort and leadership earned him team captain.
In addition to his deep wrestling pedigree, Kevin has accumulated nearly a decade of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu experience, holding a purple belt in the art. Kevin’s dual lineage gives him a unique ability as a coach, with the ability to evaluate and modify both wrestling and Jiu Jitsu techniques to build a more effective generation of grapplers.
Coach Kevin teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a practical, real-life approach shaped by understanding what it’s like to balance training with a busy life off the mats. Kevin focuses on making sure every student learns techniques they can actually use immediately.
Known for creating a positive and welcoming environment, Coach Kevin encourages a culture where students can train hard, improve their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, and still joke, laugh, and enjoy the process. He takes pride in building a space where people know they’ll leave class in a better mood than when they arrived.
Training since June 2018, Long holds the rank of brown belt. Prior to jiu-jitsu, he was a powerlifter and StrongFirst instructor, notably earning the Beast Tamer title. He integrates this background in body mechanics and structural tension for a resilient, efficient approach to the sport.
Raised during the turbulent 1990s Balkan war and later trained under multiple black belts, he now draws on that experience to teach jiu-jitsu that builds confidence, discipline, and resilience in your children here at Queens Jiu-Jitsu.
Josue is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt with over a decade of experience across BJJ, wrestling, and MMA. He has competed in major tournaments including Grapplers Quest, Grappling Industries, and NAGA, where he has been serving as a certified referee since 2020.
Josue brings a calm, detail-oriented approach to coaching, focusing on strong fundamentals, practical technique, and helping students build confidence at every stage of their journey.
