How You Can Make a Living as a LoL Coach
By Arlo on Jan 5th, 2026, 05:57
Once the match is over, the winner basks in their victory; you celebrate them in silence, knowing it’s their time to shine. But they didn’t get there alone; it was you who guided them to this point and ensured they’re ready for this very moment.
But just as this moment is the destination for aspiring eports players, you too are on your way there as a coach. The esports coaching profession is no longer just a fantasy job, but it takes real work to get there.
Let’s break down your steps from High-ELO player to professional League of Legends coach.
This isn’t just a job where you find a team; there are now various ways to offer coaching services. While one template seems to earn more compared to the other, it’s really up to you and how you make the best of it.
Also called a private coach, this role gives you the most flexibility and allows you to set your own rates, both to be competitive and to freely build your brand. You’ll need the mindset of an entrepreneur and make use of various tools and platforms at your disposal. Platforms like WeCoach allow you to connect with players directly, giving you direct insight into the needs of your clientele.
Coaching for a team provides the highest stability with annual salaries and performance bonuses. You’ll be able to offer guidance to collegiate teams, or even professional LoL teams, in a salaried position that will challenge your analytical thinking, leadership, and management of team dynamics.
There’s also the option of becoming a content creator who shares deep insights into the complexities of the game, discussing meta and advanced mechanics. You establish your brand by building a community and providing VOD reviews, tier lists, and live coaching streams. Aside from streaming income, you could also do some coaching on the side, much like a freelancer.
Your potential income is always directly tied to your brand and reputation, although one type certainly seems to earn more than others. Freelance typically earns a smaller income at the beginning, but you’re getting a lot of flexibility in exchange.
Team roles generally offer a higher salary, but only if you’re at the pro level, though championship-level collegiate teams like Maryville University offer as much as $50,000.
As a content creator, there are too many variables that it’s difficult to pin down any number. The varying rates start at a low bar, but the ceiling is high, with more than $250K for top earners.
| Category | Freelance | Team-based Role |
|---|---|---|
| Income Structure | Varying rates, low starting bar, but high ceiling | Stable annual salary |
| Earnings | $250K for top earners | High ceiling, fixed based on contract |
| Key Details | Flexible hours, individuals or small groups, rates based on brand and reputation | Hours tied to team, dedicated collegiate or pro team, rates based on contract |
You’re not judged solely by how good you are at the game, but a certain degree of skill is still necessary. You’re expected to teach players how to win, so you'd better be able to win yourself as well. You won’t be required to win tournaments, although it does help, but it’s more important to be able to demonstrate your value, and a solid rank helps with that.
You’ll not only need to show your expertise in person, but you also need to create a brand of competence, and digital spaces like YouTube and Twitter help on that front. Use your platforms to showcase your skills and brand of coaching. Potential clients could line up on their own with the right promotion.
Being a good coach is one thing, but marketing your top skills, one that happens to be in demand, will take you to more places sooner. Establish yourself as an expert in a specific role or champ, or be the go-to guy for all things within your chosen niche; specializing in smaller things will help you connect with the right students.
Whether you’re gunning for a team-coach position or building your own coaching empire, there are ideal steps to establish yourself. Start small and build towards your goal in meaningful ways.
As a Freelancer or Content Creator:
Working towards a team role is different, since progress will likely be slower, but the gains are steady. Start small as a volunteer, an analyst, or a role on a collegiate or amateur team. Actively expand your network to look for further opportunities. Being active in local communities is a great choice. Finally, develop specializations to make your services more valuable.
Don’t stop at just developing your gaming skills. Studying sports psychology and other related disciplines can also help. Learn what you can, and use everything at your disposal to reach your goal. Build on small victories, and you’ll earn your spotlight soon enough.
