Passion UA Extend T.c’s Contract Until 2028

On January 19, 2026, Ukrainian esports organisation Passion UA announced that they have extended the contract of their head coach Tiaan “T.c” Coertzen until the end of 2028, securing the South African mentor’s services for at least two more competitive seasons. This development reflects the organisation’s long-term commitment to stability and growth at the highest levels of professional Counter-Strike 2 competition. 

T.c, a 33-year-old coach from South Africa, originally joined Passion UA in April 2025 after parting ways with Complexity Gaming earlier that year. Initially brought in to work with Passion UA’s Ukrainian roster, he quickly became a central figure in the team’s evolution and strategic direction. 

Under T.c’s leadership, Passion UA’s fortunes began to change. The organisation’s original Ukrainian roster had dropped outside the global top 60 in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) after key departures, including Dmytro “jambo” Semera and Eduard “zeRRoFIX” Petrovskyi, which saw the team lose valuable ranking points. However, the team started to regain momentum as they climbed the rankings again under T.c’s direction. 

A key turning point came in August 2025, when Passion UA completed an ambitious roster overhaul by acquiring the core of the former Complexity Gaming lineup — including players such as Johnny “JT” Theodosiou, Håkon “hallzerk” Fjærli, Michael “Grim” Wince, and Nick “nicx” Lee — reuniting them with T.c, who had coached them previously. Vladyslav “Kvem” Korol also remained with the squad as part of the new project. 

This rebuilt roster allowed Passion UA to steadily improve on the international circuit. The team achieved notable results in late 2025, including a second-place finish at DraculaN Season 2 and a tournament victory at the Urban Riga Open Season 1, performances that helped secure them a Stage 2 invitation to the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. 

At the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, one of the most prestigious Valve-sanctioned events in Counter-Strike 2, Passion UA advanced through open stages to Stage 3, ultimately posting a 3-2 record. Despite not reaching the playoffs — falling short after an 0-2 start and a loss to eventual finalists FaZe Clan — the team’s performance underlined its potential and justified the organisation’s confidence in T.c’s long-term leadership. 

In early 2026, Passion UA faced a challenging start at BLAST Bounty Season 1, including a first-round defeat to GamerLegion. Nevertheless, the extended contract for T.c ensures that he will guide the team into upcoming competitions, including their scheduled participation in IEM Kraków 2026 Stage 1 — an ESL Pro Tour event featuring 24 of the world’s best CS2 teams, where Passion UA’s campaign is set to begin against G2 Esports. 

Founded in 2023 by Ukrainian professional footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko, Passion UA has become one of the most talked-about organisations in competitive Counter-Strike 2 due to its rapid rise, unique ownership, and commitment to international competition. Zinchenko’s involvement has helped shine a spotlight on the team and his vision to represent Ukrainian talent on the global stage. 

Passion UA’s journey through the competitive CS2 landscape has seen significant challenges and transformations — from early roster instability to the decisive integration of seasoned international talent and tactical leadership. Extending T.c’s contract through 2028 emphasises the organisation’s belief in continuity, strategic foresight, and long-term planning as essential components for future success in an increasingly competitive esports environment. 

With this extension now official, many in the scene see the move as both a reward for past development and an investment in future stability, as Passion UA continues to build toward higher placements at majors and top-tier events worldwide.