Ugly Truth: The Coaching Game

JULY 1
Hello everyone, we have a spicy one. Might get cancelled, but it is what it is. Grab your beer or coffee and let's dive in.

This week, Xbox takes the lead and the Metaverse gets a new feed, but first...

Made by Franco

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The Coaching Game

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Do coaches matter?

The ugly truth of esports coaching. It's deep, but clear.

Pro player salaries are higher than you think, which leaves a little bit of room for a few managers to make a difference. But then several questions start to pop out:

Do we have elite managers consistently finishing high with their teams that their tasty salaries would predict?
If you have that coach, is the industry mature enough with prize money that will cover expenses?
Wait, what does elite coaching looks like in esports in the first place?

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College Peeps
This scene is growing, but in general, universities have no fucking idea of what esports is or how it works. One brave person, who never got the chance to actually compete, takes responsibility and invests his last year of college to build an esports program that later on gets a decent facility, a tight budgetfor scholarships and a even tighter one for coaches' salaries.

The program manager calls a friend who once was high rank on League of Legends and offers him the dream job of coaching esports. This guy, who only knew how to play League, now is the coach for the Rocket League and Overwatch teams. Imagine how little of a shit the universities' board members will give about an esports coach coaching the wrong game.

These guys grabbed the job to later on "be able" to coach with C9, TL or TSM.
"So, Carr, tell us about your experience".
"Yea of course, I was Masters in League of Legends, and I coached Rocket League for two years".
...

Analysts & Friends
There's a lot of talented kids out there who understand the rules of the game, the stats and trends like no other. However, having a fanbase on Twitter or being friends with the esports' team members is your ticket to work as an analyst. Just like a private speakeasy, you need a recommendation. Diversity is non-existent.

Retired Players
The most common scenario is to see accomplished pro-players who now act as coaches. It makes sense. But don't forget that esports is a very young industry and these guys are coaching players with whom they were teammates a year ago.

I'm a videographer, I watched every single esports' team Youtube series. I've also worked with different teams. After looking at them for so long, I can tell you that a huge percentage of these type of coaches receive no respect from their team. They do talent wise, they don't coaching wise. They are still friends, they have the same age, they like the same things, they share the same drama. It's really difficult to coach under these circumstances.

Team Managers
Once the owners realize that they have a coaching problem, they talk to the team manager and ask him to coach the team while also managing their budget and daily requirements. These guys at least have some experience managing people so sometimes it works. It's like that band aid that won't stick properly to your skin.

Coaches
These mother fuckers are expensive, and only 10% of teams have them. They know a lot about the game, they already built their trusted network of analysts to help them out and they have a success track with a couple teams. But if they don't continue to win, they are out.

Broadcasters
Since esports teams don't have a secured monetization process, and winning titles or selling merch are the only way at the moment. Team owners can't afford the patience to have a good coach who consistently places the team in the top 5, but can't lift trophies. They need the titles to be able to pay people and prove investors that esports isn't a bubble.

They are like "Fuck... we can't hire our friends, analysts or pro players as coaches since usually they lack the personality, and proper coaches can't win. What else is there?". The next in line with knowledge are casters, so why not?

It's such a great accomplishment for casters to be able to coach as well. Some of them are great, but again, if they don't win, they are just another coach cleaned by the team.

Elite Managers
The 3%, and mostly not in the West. Given the coaching structure and the little experience that people are able to access from the industry, is hard to reach to this point and consistently win titles. Besides prize money, I believe that the strongest asset these managers have is that they know how to handle an impatient investor, a nervous owner and a young team.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Why do you think most coaches are involved in cheating, sexual harassment, and power abuse? Stop hiring friends and family. Open up hiring opportunities to unconventional people. Create diversity.
Winning is fucking difficult. Try to find a way to make more money with merch and sponsors and don't rely only on prize money. Coaches are built with experience and several seasons. There isn't enough data or competitive time to find successful coaches. Patience is key, but nobody likes patience.
When you do find a good coach, explode his/her skills. Is the coach really good at building academy players that you can later sell to other teams? Is he great at disrupting the game and generating better viewership? You don't necessarily have to just win to make money.

There is something that team owners know though, that coaches are a bit egocentric to see themselves:

If you have a really talented team with the right attitude and motivation you'll win more games than you lose. No matter who coaches. That's why players will always be more expensive. But what ever can give you the extra 10%, whether is fitness, the facility or a coach with the right word in your ear... you best believe that shit matters.

👉 If you're an aspiring coach struggling to get into the system, send me an email, I'll highlight you in the newslatter. Or let me know how can I help.

What's your take on esports coaches?
Tweet me at @theweeklygg with your tasty thoughts fam.

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✅ Approved Games
China is closing hard on crypto, but opening in up like a flower with video games. A couple days ago they approved 43 import games including LoL Esports Manager. How things are going, maybe this is your way to get a coaching job in esports.

🍿 Esports Highlights

Cloud 9 enters Wild Rift Esports, applications are open.
FNATIC, EXCEL, Royal Ravens form the UK Esports Team Committee.
BLAST Premiere expands to Apex Legends Esports.
The Future of PUBG Esports.
Everything to know about VCT Stage 3.

🐦 What's good on Twitter?
Thread of the Week #1—Game Preservation, data hoarding and Minecraft.
Thread of the Week #2—Everyone trying to be the next instant games.

📓 Lil Note
Guys, Dexerto has been nominated as a finalist for the Esports Awards as the esports coverage platform of the year. Weekly and I have been part of the beautiful Dexerto family for some months now, so y'all know what to do. Show a little love by voting for us here.

Important:
People are starting to send me stuff to review and others interested in sponsoring Weekly. I'll say two things:

If you're ready for a non-filtered, truthful review... you're free to send what ever you want. From a PC to a dildo, I can rate any product.
I have always dreamed to be sponsored by Red Bull, Monster or a Brewery. If you're reading this, and you work with these companies... fam, we're destined to be together. Hit me up at hi@weekly.gg.

📖 Read of the Week
Microsoft and the Next Chapter of Windows, by Sam Castle (Dope name btw).
The Evolution of Mortal Kombat, by J. Thornburg.

🌐 The Actual Metaverse
Matthew Ball, the true conductor of Metaverse concept, just released 6 out of his 9 essays on the Metaverse. I haven't read it yet, but I know this will probably change the way you look at things forever.

🟩 Xbox Ain't Sleeping

Their new announcement + video.
New accessories for Xbox Mobile: partnership with Backbone. If you're an OG, you know I highlighted the Backbone as the next successful accessory a long time ago. Sometimes we do get lucky and call the right shit in here.

📺 Film x Gaming
Netflix Geeked list for July
A peek at WitcherCon for July 9

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