TL;DR
- Team Liquid adds Jonas ‘Kold’ Andersen as strategic coach and Jake ‘Spawn’ Tiberi as Academy head coach
- Organization completely revamps Academy system with development-focused philosophy
- Evandro ‘Yaltz’ de Cerqueira appointed head analyst, Dodo remains as team manager
- Spawn emphasizes stability and international talent development for Academy roster
- Official roster announcements expected after November 16 free agency period begins
Team Liquid has unveiled significant enhancements to their coaching infrastructure ahead of the 2021 competitive season, signaling a comprehensive approach to team development.
Following the confirmed departure of head coach Jang “Cain” Nu-ri, the organization announced strategic additions to their technical staff. Leading the new appointments is Jonas “Kold” Andersen, bringing experience from his previous roles as Origen coach and professional caster.
“Kold previously served as a positional coach for Broxah during the World Championship tournament, giving us valuable preliminary collaboration experience. He observed multiple scrimmage sessions, participated actively in post-game analysis reviews, and we maintained consistent strategic dialogue,” explained head coach Joshua “Jatt” Leesman regarding the seamless integration.
Kold will occupy the crucial position of strategic coach, focusing on macro-level gameplay and tactical development. Jatt emphasized that recent professional competitive experience represents an invaluable asset, forming a primary rationale behind Kold’s recruitment.
Evandro “Yaltz” de Cerqueira assumes responsibility as head analyst for the 2021 competitive year. Jatt additionally confirmed that Kang “Dodo” Jun-hyeok continues in his dual capacity as team manager and assistant coach, ensuring organizational continuity.
The Liquid Update is BACK!!@TL_Jatt
is leading the offseason charge at
@TeamLiquidLoL
starting with a revamp to the coaching staff and building his own analytical dream team.Find out who leaves and who joins NOW!https://t.co/9eo7j7tnVm
pic.twitter.com/kT1KBhkMit— Ovilee May (@OvileeMay)
November 13, 2020
Team Liquid Academy goes through a drastic change
Jatt acknowledged that the existing Academy framework failed to deliver optimal value, prompting comprehensive organizational restructuring.
“From my perspective, the fundamental objective of Academy or developmental programs isn’t primarily league victory. The core mission involves cultivating LCS-caliber competitive talent, with championship success emerging as a natural consequence of achieving that developmental goal,” Jatt elaborated regarding the philosophical shift.
Former ORDER head coach and experienced caster Jake “Spawn” Tiberi will assume leadership of Team Liquid Academy. Spawn revealed that multiple LCS organizations presented him with coaching opportunities, but he ultimately selected Team Liquid due to their exceptional resources dedicated to team advancement.
“The organization demonstrates remarkable credibility in executing their stated commitments,” Spawn noted. “My initial contribution will focus on establishing program stability. We aim to assemble five players demonstrating clear potential for LCS progression. Our strategy involves strategic investment in emerging talent across multiple international regions.”
Official team compositions will be formally disclosed following November 16, when the free agency negotiation window officially commences. Spawn has already indicated that the primary competitive roster appears “solid,” generating considerable anticipation among Team Liquid supporters regarding specific roster implications.
Professional Insight: Successful Academy programs typically balance experienced veterans with raw talent, creating mentorship opportunities that accelerate development. Teams often underestimate the importance of creating clear progression pathways between Academy and main rosters.
Common Organizational Mistake: Many esports organizations prioritize immediate Academy league performance over long-term player development, ultimately hampering their talent pipeline.
The strategic appointments demonstrate Team Liquid’s commitment to building sustainable competitive advantage through systematic coaching infrastructure development rather than relying solely on player talent acquisition.
Action Checklist
- Analyze current coaching staff structure and identify strategic gaps in expertise
- Establish clear development pathways between Academy and main roster positions
- Implement systematic talent evaluation framework for international player recruitment
- Develop integrated coaching methodology connecting strategic, analytical, and developmental roles
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Team Liquid adds Kold and Spawn to 2021 LCS coaching staff Team Liquid's strategic coaching overhaul and Academy transformation for 2021 LCS season