Coach Titus Morgan – Purple Belt
ICP_2023
Coach Titus began his jiu-jitsu journey while deployed with 1st Raider battalion in 2015 when a fellow Marine, GySgt Cole O’Neil, introduced Coach Titus to jiu-jitsu during a MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) physical training session. These sessions would continue almost daily during the deployment. Each and every session was inspirational and jiu-jitsu soon became a passion for Coach Titus.
Coach Titus continued the MCMAP program for the next 4 years and became a 2nd degree black belt and MCMAP instructor trainer. To progress within the MCMAP program, everyone has to seek outside martial arts training, leading Coach Titus to the doorsteps of Gracie Barra Stafford in 2019.
Gracie Barra became something easy for Coach Titus to relate to with the instructing techniques and jiu-jitsu techniques being almost identical to the way GySgt O’Neil would teach his sessions during deployment and the inspiration Coach Titus had once before was found again. Gracie Barra was also a place of growth after meeting Professor Thiago Renaldo, who, on a daily basis and even to this day, reminds Coach Titus there is a lot to learn.
Coach Titus is currently at the rank of purple belt, the same as GySgt O’Neil, the inspiration of Coach Titus’ jiu-jitsu journey. Sadly, Gysgt O’Neil lost his life to injury infections on the deployment he and Coach Titus were on together. Coach Titus now carries the quote “never forget” on the left side of his belt to honor the man who allowed this journey to begin.