"A professional must prove his or her performance." Coach Lee Bum-ho has a bone to say, conducting a strategic seminar for KIA coaching staff

*This content was translated by AI.

Ahead of the 2026 season of the KIA Tigers, the coaching staff and the front put their heads together to strengthen the team's power.

KIA said on the 20th, "We held a '206 Season Coaching Staff Strategy Seminar' in the Gwangju-Kia Champions Field conference room on the 19th."

A total of 38 people attended the seminar, including CEO Choi Joon-young, head coach Shim Jae-hak, head coach Lee Beom-ho, technical coaches for the first team, Futures and Remaining Forces, training coaches, power analysis coaches, and fronts.

The seminar was held in depth for each part, from last season's review to this season's goal setting. In particular, problems were diagnosed through data and indicators from last season, and specific and systematic goals were established for each part to improve them.

KIA, which won its 12th Korean Series title in 2024, ranked eighth with 65 wins, 4 draws and 75 losses last year. It was painful for Kim Do-young (23), the 2024 KBO MVP, to leave due to three hamstring injuries. Foreign batter Patrick Wisdom also did not play much, and the collapse of the pitching staff was the reason.

Choi Joon-young, the CEO of this strategic seminar, said, "We must accept the situation in which we failed to meet the expectations of our fans last season and reflect on all of us. This seminar is a place of promise to make a strong leap forward once again by thoroughly preparing for this season without repeating the same mistakes, he said. "We will do our best to support the front, and I hope the team will prepare well and build the pride of the collapsed fans once again."

KIA made a number of changes to its coaching staff after the end of the season to change the atmosphere. He has decided not to renew his contract with coaches Lee Jung-ho, Cho Jae-young, Yoon Hae-jin, Jung Jae-hoon, Lee Hyun-gon, Takeshi and Kim Sang-hoon.

In 2026, KIA's first team will consist of head coach Son Seung-rak, pitching coaches Lee Dong-gul and Kim Ji-yong, hitting coaches Kim Joo-chan and Cho Seung-beom, defense coach Park Ki-nam, operation base coach Ko Young-min, outfield defense and base coach Kim Yeon-hoon, and battery coach Lee Hae-chang.

For the Futures team, coach Jin Gap-yong, pitching coach Ken Takahashi and Park Jung-bae, hitting coach Hong Se-wan, operation base coach Park Hyo-il, and defense coach Kim Min-woo will guide the team. In addition, the remaining troops were composed of general coach Kim Seok-yeon, pitching coach Lee Sang-hwa, batting coach Choi Hee-seop, and rehabilitation team coach Seo Deok-won.

Director Lee Bum-ho said, "All the coaching staff prepared well for the seminar. However, a professional is a position that must be proved sexually. With this seminar, we will all work together to achieve meaningful results," he said, adding, "We will thoroughly prepare to stand at the top once again based on teamwork and solidarity that puts the team ahead of individuals."

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*This content was translated by AI.