For the first time in what feels like forever, both of the Los Angeles Overwatch League teams have winning records. Granted, we’re only three weeks into Stage 3, but that’s besides the point. Over the past 24 hours, both organizations have announced additions to their coaching staff.
Gladiators Hire Faustus
Yesterday, the Los Angeles Gladiators announced the hiring of James “Faustus” Frye as the Overwatch League team’s new Assistant Coach.
“Faustus is no stranger to competitive Overwatch and has been playing since the game’s beta release. He began coaching in college and has coached in multiple Overwatch Contenders seasons and tournaments for an assortment of teams including Skyfoxes and Angry Titans.
After coming in second multiple times with his teams, Faustus recently finished first with Angry Titans, the current reigning Season 1 champions in the European Contenders league. Earlier this month, Angry Titans also placed third in the Atlantic Showdown, a double elimination tournament with the top teams of all Contenders leagues worldwide."
Faustus comes over to the Gladiators from the Angry Titans of Germany, and brings with him many years of Overwatch Experience. So far in Stage 3 of the 2019 Season, the Los Angeles Gladiators are sitting at a 3-1 records and hold the 4th Place seed in the stage standings.
Looking ahead at the rest of the stage, it’s easy to presume that the Gladiators can snag one or more wins in their final three games. Chances are, we’re going to see the Gladiators in a playoff spot.
Valiant Hire Reprize
When the Florida Mayhem organization decided to dissolve their Academy team, most of those players decided to stick together, including some of the coaching staff. Among those that went on to form team Revival, was now owner Justin “Reprize” Hand. Reprize brings a few years of playing experience as well as a few terms as a coach and leader to the table, as he now joins the Los Angeles Valiant’s coaching staff.
Hey 7s we've added a new face to our coaching staff, please welcome Assistant Coach Justin "Reprize" Hand to our team! @ReprizeOW we are lucky to have you #WingsOut #WeAre7 pic.twitter.com/iTsPQvLT3t
— Los Angeles Valiant (@LAValiant) June 20, 2019
Reprize joins up with the Overwatch League team as they look to continue to improve over a pretty dismal start to the season. So far in Stage 3, the Valiant have a 2-1 record, with a potentially difficult time ahead of them as the rest of the games round out.
Hopefully the addition of Reprize can help the Valiant make a real run at the end of season playoffs, if there’s still a chance.
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Week 3 Stage 3 of the Overwatch League is going to kick-off today, with the San Francisco Shock playing the Boston Uprising live from the Blizzard Arena at 4:00 PM Pacific Time.
