| Also known as | DDS |
|---|---|
| Date founded | 2011 |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Founder | John Danaher |
| Current head | John Danaher |
| Arts taught | Grappling,Brazilian jiu-jitsu |
| Ancestor schools | Renzo Gracie Academy |
| Descendant schools | B Team Jiu Jitsu New Wave Jiu Jitsu |
Danaher Death Squad (DDS) was an Americansubmission grappling team founded byJohn Danaher which was originally part of theRenzo Gracie Academy. DDS team is known for their usage ofleglocks as well as its accomplishment in major grappling competitions such as theADCC Submission Fighting World Championship.
DDS was established in 2011 when John Danaher took over one of the morning classes atRenzo Gracie Academy. Around the same time he started teaching, Eddie Cummings had just started training at the school. Cummings liked Danaher's approach toBrazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and would attend all of his morning classes. Eventually a team was formed that would use aleglock system devised by Danaher. Further members would join the team.[1][2]
Former DDS member Ryan Quinn was the one who came up with the name 'Danaher Death Squad'. The name caught on and everyone within the BJJ world would start using it. However Danaher himself actually despises the name.[1][2]
In December 2020, DDS split from the Renzo Gracie Academy to become an independent gym. It opened a training facility on an island inPuerto Rico which could avoid the restrictions related toCOVID-19 lockdowns.The idea was that putting the gym within a tropical paradise would help attract more athletes. However the project was scrapped after only a few months. One of the main factors was theCOVID-19 pandemic which made it difficult for people to travel to the island.[1][2]
In July 2021,Gordon Ryan announced on Instagram that he was moving toAustin, Texas to start a new gym. Danaher followed up with a post of his own announcing that DDS was parting ways. It was reported while the team was in Puerto Rico there were some conflicts between members of the team such as differences in training philosophies and the failure of the new gym. After meeting together, the team decided the best thing for everyone to do was go their own ways.[1][2][3]
Two new teams would be formed from DDS which were both in Austin, Texas. Danaher, Ryan, andGarry Tonon would go on to formNew Wave Jiu Jitsu whileCraig Jones andNick Rodriguez formedB Team Jiu Jitsu. The two schools are located less than a 15-minute drive from one another.[1]
In October 2024, Ryan said onJake Shields' podcast that he placed much of the blame of the demise of DDS on Jones. Jones responded that both Danaher and Ryan were overworking and abusing athletes leading to members leaving.[4]
DDS are standard-bearers of offense-based, submission-oriented grappling which has gathered interest from a large audience.[5]
Danaher's philosophy is to be constantly on the offensive but use a progressive attacking model and not do things just for the sake of them. One should have complete control and immobilization of an opponent before going for the finish. 50% of the team's submissions derived from a bottom playing stance, 73% of those being lower limb submissions such as leglocks.[2][5]
DDS have issued more than fiftyDVD instructionals.[2]
The following were notable members of Danaher Death Squad:[1][2]
| Name | Discipline | Current team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Ryan | Grappling | New Wave Jiu Jitsu | |
| Garry Tonon | Grappling | New Wave Jiu Jitsu | |
| Craig Jones | Grappling | B Team Jiu Jitsu | |
| Nick Rodriguez | Grappling | B Team Jiu Jitsu | |
| Jake Shields | Mixed martial arts | - | |
| Erin Blanchfield | Mixed martial arts | Silver Fox BJJ |