# NPB coaching departures

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/npb-coaching-departures
> Updated: 2026-10-19T11:40:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Several coaches in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) are departing their teams at the end of the current season.

In the Chunichi Dragons organization, Ryosuke Hirata announced his departure as the outfield defense and base running coach, expressing gratitude for his two years in the role. 

The Hanshin Tigers are also seeing coaching changes. Eiichi Koyano, the chief batting coach who contributed to two championship titles, is leaving the club after two years. Additionally, general coach Atsushi Fujimoto is reportedly departing following the team’s exit from the Climax Series. Commentators have suggested Fujimoto’s exit may be a way of “taking responsibility” for the team’s postseason performance, though speculation also points to potential internal conflicts or the psychological impact of recent losses.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Hanshin Tigers Coach Atsushi Fujimoto to Depart Team

Hanshin Tigers general coach Atsushi Fujimoto is reportedly leaving the team following a disappointing Climax Series exit.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hanshin-tigers-coach-atsushi-fujimoto-to-depart-team

### 2026-10-17: NPB coaches depart Chunichi Dragons and Hanshin Tigers

NPB coaches Ryosuke Hirata of the Chunichi Dragons and Eiichi Koyano of the Hanshin Tigers are both departing their teams at the end of the season.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/npb-coaches-depart-chunichi-dragons-and-hanshin-tigers

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Cite as: NPB coaching departures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/npb-coaching-departures