COACH DEVON COETZEE

Rank: Brown Belt
Jiujitsu Journey: Started in 2014 | Blue Belt 2017 | Purple Belt 2018 | Brown Belt 2022
Teaching Since: 2017

Devon is a dedicated Jiujitsu practitioner and coach, passionate about personal growth and helping other succeed. beginning his journey in 2014, Devon has honed his skills through discipline, study and experience. Now a Brown Belt, he teaches with a strong focus on concepts and practical application, making the “why” just as important as the “how”.

Devon believes that consistent training, no matter how frequent, will always lead to progress. His teaching philosophy centres on building strong, efficient habits - whether training one day a week or three, and always training with intention.

His commitment and passion for Jiujitsu goes beyond competition and teaching, dedicating his life to the art and constantly working to improve both himself and his students.

INFLUENCES

  • Eddie Bravo’s approach to grappling was defined by an open mind. Rather than simply accepting traditional ideas from those who came before him, he challenged the status quo while still respecting the contributions of others. Eddie always looked to the highest levels of competition, using them as a guide for his own evolution in the sport. His willingness to experiment with new techniques and ideas—often from unconventional positions—was a major influence on Devon, encouraging him to approach jiujitsu with the same open-mindedness. His admiration for Marcelo Garcia also played a key role in Devons own journey, inspiring him to follow Marcelo’s career closely and strive to emulate his excellence in all aspects of the sport.

  • Lachlan Giles’ teaching style resonates with Devon due to its practicality and logical structure. The way he breaks down techniques and organises lessons aligns perfectly with how Devons mind processes information, making his classes particularly impactful for him. Lachlan's openness to new ideas and willingness to answer questions from both peers and students set him apart from other instructors. His ability to build a high-level gym, train predominantly with his own students, and still compete at the highest levels of the sport is a major source of inspiration. His success in both business and competition proves that it’s possible to excel in multiple areas without sacrificing one for the other, which motivated Devon to invest in his own growth, both on and off the mat.

  • Marcelo Garcia's approach to competition and training has been a perfect fit for the philosophies instilled in Devon by his coach, Adam Gray. Marcelo’s focus on mastering a few core techniques, becoming extremely proficient at them, and then applying them in competition—even as new techniques emerge—was a strategy that deeply resonated with Devon. Even though his techniques were not always “new” in the traditional sense, his ability to execute them against the best grapplers in the world demonstrated the timeless effectiveness of his style. Beyond his technical mastery, Marcelo's humility, kindness, and grace—both in victory and defeat—have been equally influential. He never sought to be flashy or overly entertaining, yet his grappling was always beautiful, efficient, and effective. Marcelo’s authenticity and dedication to the sport have left an indelible mark on Devons own approach to jiujitsu.

TEACHING

With years of experience, Devon has taught students at all levels - beginners to advanced practitioners, as well as competitors. His approach is detail-oriented, focusing on conceptual understanding and practical execution. He values continuous learning, always open to new techniques and strategies that work. As a progressive coach, Devon stays up to date with the latest trends in Jiujitsu and trains with some of the best athletes and coaches in the country to keep evolving.

Athletes from other gyms also come to cross train with Devon at 10th Planet Brisbane, seeking to improve their Jiujitsu for general development, competition, and even for MMA preparation. This cross training environment fosters a culture of collaboration and shared knowledge, further elevating the skill level of everyone involved.

Whether you’re a hobbyist, a competitor, or an athlete from another gym looking to level up, Devons expertise and approach will help you achieve your Jiujitsu goals.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • In his weight class

    🥇Pan Pacific Championship 2024
    🥉No Gi Worlds Las Vegas 2023
    🥇Battlegrounds Invitational Superfight
    🥇Pan Pacific Championship 2022
    🥇M16 Superfight
    🥇BOA Super 8 Superfight

  • In his weight class

    🥇FNC Superfight
    🥇M16 Superfight
    🥇AGC Superfight x 2
    🥇QLD State Championships
    🥇Grappling Industries Advanced
    🥈Submission Only Championships (brown/black division)


    Open weight

    🥇Grappling Industries Absolute x 2
    🥇QLD State Championships
    🥇Coffs Harbour Invitational Absolute
    🥇South Pacific Championship

  • In his weight class

    🥇AGC Superfight (black belt)
    🥇AFBJJ Blue Belt of the Year
    🥇QLD State Championship

    Open weight

    🥇QLD State Championship