Overwatch League franchise Houston Outlaws has made changes to its coaching staff after a disappointing result to the end of Season 2’s regular season. The Houston Outlaws have announced the departure of Head Coach Kim “TaiRong” Tae-Yeong and Assistant Coach Kim “Hyunwoo” Hyun-woo.
Today we announce the departure of head coach @TaiRongOW & assistant coach @HyeonWoo_99
We appreciate all their hard work and dedication over the past two seasons.
Though our journey with them may be over, we know their futures are extremely bright. pic.twitter.com/HQyrxBeIzI— Houston Outlaws (@Outlaws) September 20, 2019
Houston Outlaws
Both TaiRong and HyunWoo joined the Overwatch League franchise on the last day of October in 2017. This is the same date that the Houston Outlaws’ branding and roster were revealed to the public. This means both coaches had been with the team since it was created. However, the Outlaws team hasn’t been achieving the results it should be.
The Houston Outlaws tied for dead last with the Florida Mayhem and Shanghai Dragons in the Overwatch League’s Inaugural Preseason. During the 2018 Inaugural Season, the team ended in the lower half of the bracket, with a 7th place finish. The team took home $75,000 with 22 wins and 18 losses, when the entire prize pool was $1.3 million USD.
Overwatch League
During the 2018 season, the parent organization of Houston Outlaws was also going through a reorganization. A few roster changes occurred and former coach Kyle “KyKy” Souder was released due to an Infinite Esports & Entertainment cut of staff. However, even after the organization brought on other staff members, the Outlaws did even worse in the following season.
I'd say I enjoyed this season but that'd be a lie. Going an entire season with a negative budget has been a good learning experience I guess. I'm excited for 2020 and actually moving to Houston. There will be changes this offseason, there need to be.
Thanks for all the support💚
— Matt Rodriguez (@flameirl) August 18, 2019
In the 2019 Regular Season of the Overwatch League, the Houston team placed almost dead last in 16th place. The team also managed to score the achievement of going 0 – 7 during a stage. In addition, the Houston Outlaws General Manager Matt “Flame” Rodriguez revealed that the team went the entire season with a “negative budget.”
The Overwatch team is currently in the midst of a potential sale to another organization after Immortals Gaming Club acquired OpTic Gaming. Immortals cannot hold on to the Outlaws because they already own the Los Angeles Valiant.
