LPL powerhouse RNG has a new coach for 2019
Chinese organization Royal Never Give Up is bringing on Choi "DanDy" In-kyu as its new head coach.
RNG conquered LPL and international stages alike in 2018. After winning the LPL’s spring split, the team went on to win both the Mid-Season Invitational and Rift Rivals.
The Chinese delegation at the Asian Games 2018 featured a League of Legends team consisting mostly of RNG members, who again were victorious after defeating the South Korean team in the event’s finals.
RNG won another LPL split in the summer and attended the World Championship with massive hype behind them. This, however, would prove to be the only title RNG missed out on. The Chinese giants were upset by G2 Esports in the quarterfinals, who then lost to eventual champion Invictus Gaming.
In early December, the team announced that head coach Lee "Heart" Gwan-hyung would be leaving his position with the organization. RNG kept the same roster and recruited former pro player DanDy as its new head coach in time to prepare for the winter edition of the Demacia Cup.
DanDy started his career in 2012 as the support for Korean team SuperStar. He moved to MVP Ozone and became a jungler, the position he would keep for most of his professional career. After a brief time with Samsung White, DanDy joined Vici Gaming in China.
The player-turned-coach played his final season with North America side eUnited in 2017. After some time spent out of the professional spotlight, DanDy returns as head coach of one of the most popular teams in the world.
DanDy will be have high expectations in his coaching debut. RNG’s dominance was nearly complete in 2018, and the team’s fans will expect more of the same in the new year.
The LPL returns on January 14, 2019.
Suning huanfeng drops from LPL All-Stars over cheating scandal
Deft becomes ninth player to record 1,000 kills in the LCK
Deft, Pawn, TusiN replenish Kingzone DragonX
Ucal joins Afreeca Freecs as new mid laner
Uzi to Take Break from Competition
x6tence Galaxy claim inaugural WINNERS League title
A world champion hopes to elevate OpTic in 2019
PowerOfEvil and Wiggily lead CLG's rebound charge
Riot Games COO suspended for workplace harassment
Bpro and x6tence Galaxy to meet in WINNERS League final
Vici Gaming coach fined for profane rant
Origen reloads for return to top European competition
Fear returns to pro Dota with J.Storm
OWL expansion skins are coming to servers
TSM hopes to rebound with Broken Blade and Smoothie
Blizzard ends esports support for Heroes of the Storm
Mineski wins again outside the DPC
Nisqy signing shows Cloud9's roster building commitment
Golden Guardians retool with Hauntzer, Froggen, Olleh