After two years with T1, coach Tom has signed a multi-year extension with the organization
After a year of struggles ending with success at Worlds, Im "Tom" Jae-hyeon is re-signing with T1 for a multi-year deal. The organization announced the coach's re-signing on its social media this Thursday.
Heading towards greater success
T1 seem to have a reputation for elevating every player who joins their ranks to new heights. Tom, a retired player turned coach, played for SKT Telecom in 2015 as part of their double LCK championship-winning roster. However, over time, he was replaced in the jungle by Bae "Bengi" Seong-woong and missed out on the World Championship title that year, as Lee "Easyhoon" Ji-hoon was preferred as the substitute.
Fate, however, had other plans. In 2023, Tom joined T1’s coaching staff and has since made up for lost time, winning back-to-back World Championship titles alongside ZOFGK and head coach Kim "Roach" Kang-hee. Unfortunately, Roach will be leaving the coaching staff in 2025 to fulfill his mandatory military service.
Kim "kkOma" Jeong-gyun's situation appears quite clear, with his contract secured until 2026. T1 not only boast a stable roster, with the only change being Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon joining as the new toplaner to replace Choi "Zeus" Woo-je but also maintain continuity within their coaching staff. A final announcement is likely expected to fill Roach’s departure, potentially with a Data Analyst.
Header Photo Credit: T1