About us

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

ADAM MARBURGER

Owner / Head Coach
Adam Marburger is the owner and head coach of Alton Elite Jiu Jitsu, where his passion for teaching, leadership, and personal development comes together on the mat.

A lifelong martial artist and accomplished competitor, Adam is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Kyle Watson and proudly represents the TAC Team affiliation. During his competitive career, he earned an impressive résumé, highlighted by six podium finishes at IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, along with numerous other regional and national accomplishments.

While Adam owns and operates multiple successful businesses across different industries, Alton Elite holds a special place in his heart. He often says that although the academy may not be his most profitable venture, it is by far the most fulfilling. For Adam, Jiu Jitsu is about far more than medals or belts — it’s about discipline, confidence, resilience, and building strong people on and off the mat.

As head coach, Adam is deeply involved in the daily development of his students, emphasizing technical excellence, accountability, and a positive team culture. His coaching style blends high-level competition experience with a genuine desire to see each student grow at their own pace.

Outside the academy, Adam is a devoted father to three amazing daughters and values spending his free time traveling and making memories with his family. That same sense of balance, purpose, and gratitude carries into everything he builds at Alton Elite Jiu-Jitsu.

JACQUELINE KOEHNE

General Manager / Jiu-Jitsu Coach
Jacquelin Koehne is the General Manager of Alton Elite Jiu Jitsu and a dedicated coach with a passion for helping students grow both on and off the mat. She is a blue belt, a gold medalist in both Fuji and AGF competitions, and brings years of hands-on experience in martial arts, fitness, and athlete development. Jacquelin holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, and an Autism Exercise Specialist, allowing her to coach athletes of all ages and abilities with confidence and care.

Since beginning her Jiu Jitsu journey in 2017, Jacquelin has remained committed to continuous growth and refinement of her skills. Her coaching philosophy blends technical precision with an inclusive, supportive approach—whether she’s working with children developing foundational movement skills or helping adults build confidence, strength, and self-belief. As General Manager, Jacquelin plays a vital role in the daily operations of Alton Elite, ensuring a positive, professional, and welcoming environment for every member who walks through the doors.

STEPHEN KOEHNE

Jiu-Jitsu Coach
Stephen Koehne is a dedicated martial artist and coach at Alton Elite Jiu Jitsu, bringing a thoughtful, student-centered approach to the mats. His martial arts journey began long before discovering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2017, with a foundation rooted in traditional martial arts and a lifelong passion for personal growth through movement and discipline.

Stephen is a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a Gold Medalist at Fuji competitions. He is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) through Yoga Alliance, with additional specialized training in sequencing and adaptive movement through Warriors at Ease—a program focused on serving military and high-stress populations.

To Stephen, Jiu Jitsu is more than a sport; it is a tool for self-development, resilience, and confidence. As a coach, he believes in meeting students where they are, understanding their individual goals, and adapting his teaching style to help them progress effectively and safely. His instruction emphasizes strong fundamentals, thoughtful technique, and a deep understanding of movement—both on and off the mat.

Stephen takes pride in building meaningful relationships with his students and helping them grow not just as grapplers, but as people. His mission is to create an environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and empowered to become their best self through Jiu Jitsu.

TOM DAWSON

Jiu-Jitsu Coach
Tom Dawson is a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a dedicated coach at Alton Elite Jiu Jitsu. Tom brings years of training experience and multiple gold medals in Fuji and AGF competitions, Tom brings both competitive insight and practical instruction to the mat.

Tom’s coaching philosophy centers on simplicity and effectiveness. He focuses on breaking Jiu Jitsu down into clear, understandable concepts that students of all levels can apply—whether their goal is competition success or improving overall fitness and confidence.

Passionate about helping others grow, Tom takes pride in guiding students toward their personal goals while creating a supportive, disciplined, and motivating training environment. His approach makes Jiu Jitsu accessible, challenging, and rewarding for everyone who steps on the mat.

ALEX MINOR

MMA & Grappling Coach
Alex Minor is an experienced MMA and grappling coach at Alton Elite Jiu Jitsu, bringing over a decade of training across multiple combat disciplines. His background includes Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, judo, and mixed martial arts, giving him a well-rounded and practical approach to coaching both striking and grappling.

Alex has competed extensively, earning multiple medals across various rule sets. His competitive experience includes four Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments with three gold and two bronze medals, two amateur boxing bouts, two point kickboxing/Muay Thai tournament titles, one full-contact Muay Thai bout, and two MMA fights.

As a coach, Alex focuses on building well-rounded athletes by blending technical skill, conditioning, and fight IQ. He emphasizes fundamentals, discipline, and confidence—helping students progress whether their goal is competition, self-defense, or personal growth. His diverse background allows him to connect with athletes of all levels and guide them safely and effectively through their training journey.

ALI KITCHELL

Jiu-Jitsu Coach
Coach Ali Kitchell is an Air Force veteran, devoted husband, and proud father of two children, ages 13 and 17. As the parent of a son on the autism spectrum, Ali is a passionate advocate for the disabled community and believes strongly in creating inclusive, supportive environments where everyone has the opportunity to grow and thrive.

Ali began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey over 13 years ago at the encouragement of a close friend and business partner. Since then, he has trained across the country and gained experience at multiple academies, with his primary instruction coming from Watson Martial Arts and Alton Elite Jiu Jitsu, where he currently holds the rank of purple belt.

Known for his calm demeanor and patient teaching style, Coach Ali specializes in making Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu approachable and unintimidating—especially for beginners. He has a natural ability to break down complex techniques into simple, easy-to-understand concepts, helping students build confidence both on and off the mats.

Above all, Ali is passionate about teaching practical self-defense skills that can truly make a difference in someone’s life. His goal is to ensure every student feels welcomed, supported, and empowered from their very first class.

JOHN MAYFIELD

MMA & No-Gi Coach
John brings to Alton Elite Jiu Jitsu nearly two decades of combat sports experience. He began his martial arts journey in 2006 training in kickboxing with Premier Martial Arts, competing in multiple bouts early in his career. In 2008, John expanded into Jiu Jitsu, catch wrestling, and mixed martial arts, where he went on to compete in several No-Gi grappling tournaments and multiple MMA fights.

Known for his toughness, practical approach, and real-world experience, John brings a high-energy, competition-tested mindset to every class. His coaching focuses on effective grappling, pressure control, and helping students build confidence for both sport and self-defense.