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Dallas Fuel releases head coach Aero

After a tumultuous day for the Fuel, the longtime head coach has been let go.

Liz Richardson

Published: Aug 3, 2020 07:25 pm

This article is over 4 years old and may contain outdated information

The Dallas Fuel announced today that Aaron “Aero” Atkins has been released from his position as head coach for the Overwatch League team.

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Aero’s removal is the latest in a line of high-profile changes for Dallas on Aug. 3, including the release of DPS Jang “Decay” Gui-un and the firing of assistant coach Louis “Tikatee” Lebel-Wong. Staff and players were informed of changes earlier today, according to a Fuel tweet.

pic.twitter.com/fg82tgomUa
— Dallas Fuel (@DallasFuel) August 4, 2020

Aero had been a coach for the Dallas Fuel since May of 2018 and was previously head coach for Fusion University and FNRGFE. Aero was also head coach for Team USA in the Overwatch World Cup in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, the team won the World Cup championship for the first time.

The former head coach posted his thoughts to his Twitter account, detailing his choices.

“Through all of the ups and downs I’ve always tried to learn, grow, and make the best decisions I can for all the players and staff I’m responsible for,” Aero said on Twitter. “Sometimes I make good ones, sometimes I make bad ones.”

Have decided to part ways with @DallasFuel

I started coaching Overwatch in 2016. I've coached many players and have worked with multiple teams. I've won big tournaments and I've been on crazy loss streaks. I've celebrated players who've accomplished great things and
— Aaron Atkins (@Aero_OW) August 4, 2020

As for the Dallas Fuel, assistant coach Kim “Yong” Yong-Jin will serve as interim head coach for the team.

Earlier today, the Fuel released DPS player Decay after he expressed his need to leave the team. Dallas Fuel owner Mike “Hastr0” Rufail said Decay “didn’t want to cooperate” with the goals of the staff. Shortly after Decay’s removal, assistant coach Tikatee was also let go by the Fuel.

Dallas next plays the Washington Justice as a part of the Countdown Cup Knockout rounds on Aug. 7.

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Author

Liz Richardson

Liz is a freelance writer and editor from Chicago. Her favorite thing is the Overwatch League; her second favorite thing is pretending iced coffee is a meal. She specializes in educational content, patch notes that (actually) make sense, and aggressively supporting Tier 2 Overwatch. When she's not writing, Liz is expressing hot takes on Twitter and making bad life choices at Target.