FlyQuest make AZR their full-time head coach

FlyQuest have named Australian veteran Aaron “AZR” Ward as the team’s permanent head coach on October 26, 2025, elevating him from the interim role he first assumed for the DraculaN Season 2 LAN. The move reunites AZR with longtime teammate Justin “jks” Savage and locks in the coaching spot that had been vacant since August. 

FlyQuest initially trialed AZR behind the team at DraculaN in late September. That debut proved bumpy, with an opening loss to BASEMENT BOYS before lower-bracket wins over Metizport and SINNERS, and a 7–8th finish after elimination by GenOne. The org has now committed to him long-term; the signing was announced ahead of FlyQuest’s PGL Masters Bucharest opener versus GamerLegion, which the Aussies narrowly lost after double OT on Dust2 and 11–13 on Overpass.

Roster and recent changes

FlyQuest’s current lineup is:

INS, Vexite, regali, nettik, jks; AZR (coach). 

This coaching appointment follows a turbulent summer. On August 20, FlyQuest benched coach Erdenetsogt “erkaSt” Gantulga after nearly two years in charge. The team later confirmed AZR would step in for DraculaN (September 25) before making the role permanent on October 26.

How we got here

erkaSt departs (Aug 20, 2025). In his own words, “I’ve been benched from FlyQuest. Fair to say we didn’t see Counter-Strike the same way, and there were some cultural differences too.”

AZR steps in for DraculaN (Sep 25, 2025). HLTV reported his first coaching gig would be with FlyQuest at the Romanian LAN, a reunion with jks and nettik (the latter also played with AZR in Talon).

Full-time coach (Oct 26, 2025). FlyQuest confirmed the permanent hire the day of PGL Bucharest’s opening Swiss match.

Related, verified developments

FlyQuest sign jks (Sep 7, 2025). The org added four-time Big Event winner Justin “jks” Savage from Liquid, replacing Liazz and bringing more experience to the Oceanic core. 

AZR’s recent competitive hiatus. Earlier in the year, TALON dropped their CS roster, leaving AZR inactive until FlyQuest called. 

Reunion storyline. AZR and jks previously spent six years together across Vox Eminor, Renegades and 100 Thieves; the DraculaN appointment and subsequent full hire effectively extend that partnership into a coach-player dynamic. 

What the team and players said

FlyQuest CS (announcement): “We’re excited to welcome @Azr as our new coach” — posted when he first took the reins for DraculaN; the org reiterated the move with Sunday’s full-time announcement. 

erkaSt (on being benched): “Fair to say we didn’t see Counter-Strike the same way, and there were some cultural differences too.” 

Quick results snapshot under AZR

DraculaN Season 2: Opening loss to BASEMENT BOYS; lower bracket wins vs. Metizport and SINNERS; eliminated by GenOne (7–8th). 

PGL Masters Bucharest (Swiss, opening round): Lost to GamerLegion (double OT on Dust2, 11–13 on Overpass).