Top 10 Best League of Legends Coaches of All Time
By Charlene on Jun 13th, 2023, 11:30
When it comes to League of Legends, best players often bask in the spotlight. However, a crucial force behind their success is the masterminds who guide them - the coaches. In this article, we’re journeying to discover the top 10 greatest LoL Esports coaches who’ve left an indelible mark in the competitive League of Legends scene.
Considered by many as the best LoL coach of all time is kkOma, the mastermind behind SK Telecom T1’s (now T1) reign. kkOma’s impact on the team was unparalleled. With a rich legacy, including three World Championships (2013, 2015, and 2016), he was instrumental in building a dynasty.
His uncanny ability to foster young talented players was best exemplified through his nurturing of Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, who, under his tutelage, grew into the player many consider the greatest player/mid laner of all time. kkOma's commitment to innovation and adaptability made him not just a coach for one of the best teams but an icon with numerous fans in the LoL community.
Besides his impressive achievements, kkOma is known for his strict training regimes and deep involvement in player development, and his move to Vici Gaming in 2020 as a head coach was one of the most high-profile transitions in LoL history.
Team: SK Telecom T1 (now known as T1)
Notable Achievement: Three-time World Champion (2013, 2015, 2016) and two-time Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) Champion (2016, 2017).
As a former StarCraft pro, iloveoov ventured into LoL coaching with fresh ideas. Joining Afreeca Freecs, he morphed the team into a South Korean powerhouse. His outside-the-box thinking and innovative strategies shook the LCK.
In particular, his contributions in 2018 were monumental, leading Afreeca Freecs to their first-ever Worlds appearance. Through utilizing unique drafts and fostering a culture of innovation within the team, iloveoov cemented his place as one of the best LoL coaches.
His strategic mind and ability to think several moves ahead have been key in his success as a coach, earning him the nickname “The Tactician.”
Team: Afreeca Freecs
Notable Achievement: Turning Afreeca Freecs into LCK finalists and leading them to the World Championship 2018.
YamatoCannon, known for his magnetic personality and captivating speeches, started as a player before transitioning into coaching. Born in Sweden, his coaching career kicked off in 2014, and he has since worked with multiple organizations, including Team ROCCAT, Splyce, and Team Vitality.
One of YamatoCannon's greatest strengths is his ability to galvanize and inspire teams. His motivational speeches have become somewhat legendary, not just for their content but for the genuine passion and conviction with which they are delivered. Perhaps the biggest moment in his career was leading Team Vitality during the 2018 World Championship. Even though they were not considered a favourite, YamatoCannon’s leadership helped the team deliver a series of electrifying performances that surprised the world.
Team: Splyce (notably) has also worked with Team Vitality, Fnatic, and SANDBOX Gaming.
Notable Achievement: Leading Splyce to their first-ever World Championship appearance in 2016.
A former player turned coach, Ssong has been instrumental in raising teams like ROX Tigers and Immortals. He's known for his astute draft strategies and ability to adapt to different metas, making him one of the most flexible coaches. Ssong’s coaching style is known for being adaptable. He understands the importance of keeping players motivated and improving communication within the team. His knack for reading the meta and devising counter-strategies is commendable.
Teams: ROX Tigers, Immortals, and TSM
Notable Achievement: Helping ROX Tigers reach the 2016 World Championship finals and guiding Immortals to their first NA LCS finals in the Summer of 2017.
With an unorthodox approach to coaching, cvMax took Griffin from Challenger Series to LCK finalist within a year. He's lauded for emphasizing empowering players to make decisions during the game. cvMax's coaching philosophy is player-centric. He believes in nurturing talent and allowing them to make decisions in-game. His dedication to building team synergy is evident in how he turned Griffin into a formidable team in a short span.
Team: Griffin (notably), currently with DRX.
Notable Achievement: Leading Griffin from the Challenger Series to LCK finalist within a year (2018-2019).
As the Edward Gaming (EDG) coach, H-Dragon guided them to win their first-ever LPL Spring Split in 2021. He's an advocate for rigorous training but also understands the importance of mental health and ensures his players maintain balance. H-Dragon’s coaching style strikes a balance between discipline and player welfare. He advocates rigorous training but is also keen on ensuring that his players maintain mental and physical health, which is integral to their performance.
Team: Edward Gaming (EDG)
Notable Achievement: Leading EDG to win the LPL Spring Split in 2021.
GrabbZ, the maestro of G2 Esports, is known for his tactical prowess and insightful game-reading skills. Under his guidance, G2 Esports evolved into one of the most formidable European teams, clinching numerous LEC titles.
His game planning and drafting skills during the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational were particularly noteworthy, where G2 Esports triumphed. GrabbZ's innate understanding of player psychology allows him to manage diverse personalities and build a cohesive unit effectively. His tactics are reminiscent of a chess master, always several moves ahead.
Team: G2 Esports
Notable Achievement: Leading G2 Esports to victory in MSI 2019 and guiding them to the finals of the World Championship in 2019.
At number 8 is none other than Tony “Zikz” Gray. Zikz has been a pillar of the North American LoL scene. His tenure with Counter Logic Gaming (CLG) was particularly noteworthy, where he helped them secure their first-ever NA LCS title and had a strong showing at the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational.
Zikz's coaching philosophy revolves around empowering his players and fostering a team environment where everyone’s insight remains valued. His ability to motivate and bring out the best in his players has been a driving factor in his success. Zikz is known for being very methodical and data-driven in his coaching. His ability to analyze opponents and devise strategies accordingly has earned him a reputation as one of the most tactical coaches in the NA LCS.
Teams: Counter Logic Gaming (CLG), 100 Thieves
Notable Achievement: Leading CLG to their first NA LCS title in the Summer of 2015 and qualification for the 2016 World Championship.
Nick “LS” De Cesare, popularly known as LS, combines his deep game knowledge with analytical prowess. His content creator and analyst career seamlessly transitioned into coaching, where he initially worked with Gravity Gaming and later BBQ Olivers.
LS is extremely skilled in breaking down complex game scenarios and explaining them clearly. This has made him a sought-after coach, especially for teams looking to build a strong foundation in game understanding. In 2021, he joined T1 as a content creator and coach, establishing his prominent position in the scene.
Teams: bbq Olivers now works as a content creator and analyst. Joined T1 as a content creator and coach in 2020.
Notable Achievement: Recognized for his deep game knowledge, though his coaching stints did not yield significant tournament wins.
Peter Dun’s coaching journey is a testament to the global nature of LoL Esports. Having coached in Europe, North America, and Brazil, his adaptability and constant understanding of different metas are unmatched. He is well-respected for his tenure as the head coach of MAD Lions in the LEC.
Dun is known for building rosters around young, unproven talents and molding them into stars. His scouting skills and ability to adapt his coaching style to different regions have made him one of the most influential figures in the LoL coaching community.
Teams: MAD Lions (LEC), Evil Geniuses (LCS)
Notable Achievement: Leading MAD Lions to the LEC playoffs in his debut split and establishing Evil Geniuses as a strong contender in the LCS.
As seen what these legendary coaches have achieved, having a mentor to guide you through the intricacies of League of Legends is already proven invaluable. Whether it's optimizing your gameplay, understanding the meta, or learning to make swift decisions, a coach can significantly level up your skills.
But you don't have to be a pro in the competitive scene to benefit from coaching! Regular individual players can also improve significantly from LoL coaching. Consider trying our League of Legends coaching platform if you want to up your game. With experienced coaches ready to analyse your strengths and weaknesses and help you sharpen your skills, you'll be well on your way to dominating the Summoner's Rift just like the pros!
While players execute the strategies on the Summoner's Rift, it's the wisdom, guidance, and inspiration of coaches like kkOma, iloveoov, and YamatoCannon that often lead to the thrill of victory. These masterminds have created successful teams and enriched the fabric of LoL Esports through their contributions.
Keep an eye on the ever-evolving landscape of LoL Esports, as new coaching prodigies will likely emerge and challenge the established titans for their places in the hall of fame. But for now, let’s take a moment to celebrate these strategic geniuses who have forever etched their names in the annals of LoL Esports.
Do you agree with our list? Let us know who you would include among the greatest LoL Esports coaches in the comments below! And don’t forget to share this article with fellow League of Legends enthusiasts!
