Carlson Gracie Omaha / Coyote BJJ Team

Carlson Gracie Omaha / Coyote BJJ Team is led by Professor Josh Santarpia, who opened the academy in 2022 after earning his black belt under Professor Daniel “Coyote” Souza. Professor Souza, a 6th degree black belt with over four decades of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and judo, has deep roots in the Carlson Gracie lineage, having trained under Master Rui Diniz Ferreira and Master Hilton Leao Silva in Brazil. Professor Santarpia, originally from Kansas, began his jiu-jitsu journey in Albuquerque and followed Professor Souza’s guidance before moving to Omaha and affiliating the school with the Carlson Gracie Team in 2023. The academy keeps class sizes intentionally small, which allows for detailed, personalized instruction and close attention to each student’s progress. Training is structured around the fundamentals and concepts of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with classes open to adults and teens of all experience levels. While competition is encouraged for those interested, the main focus remains on self-improvement, self-defense, and the practical application of jiu-jitsu both on and off the mats. In addition to the core BJJ program, students have access to yoga classes led by Natasha Fields, whose fifteen years of teaching experience are applied specifically to support jiu-jitsu athletes. Her classes emphasize functional movement, flexibility, and recovery, helping students build a sustainable and balanced approach to their training. Drop-ins are welcome, and the facility is wheelchair accessible, reflecting the academy’s commitment to making jiu-jitsu accessible to a wide range of practitioners.

Amenities