Gracie Gulf Coast

Gracie Gulf Coast delivers martial arts instruction and self-defense training at 1937 Pass Road in Biloxi, Mississippi. Established in 2002, the academy teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for youth practitioners and adults ranging from novice students to experienced grapplers. Instruction is directed by Professor Jay Johnson, a certified second-degree black belt under Royce Gracie black belt Rob Kahn and Bobby Williams Jr. Johnson is an Air Force veteran, a certified IBJJF referee, and a Chito-Ryu karate brown belt. Professor Randy Sheets earned his black belt in 2018 under Vicente Junior after beginning his journey in 2009. Defensive tactics coach Jimmy Pierce, a law enforcement officer since 2012, holds a brown belt and leads Gracie Survival Tactics and combatives training. Class offerings include fundamentals and striking divided into specific youth age brackets, featuring sessions for ages three to seven and ages eight to fourteen. Adult practitioners participate in technical grappling and conditioning classes structured to develop physical stamina and practical positional control.