TL;DR
- Effort’s stream accidentally revealed Discord chats suggesting LS and Polt as new T1 coaches
- LS brings deep analytical expertise but has prioritized content creation over coaching recently
- Polt offers esports leadership experience but limited League of Legends background
- The unconventional duo represents a significant departure from traditional Korean coaching approaches
- Official announcement expected soon to confirm or deny the leaked information
Professional gaming streams often create unexpected drama, but T1 support player Lee “Effort” Sang-ho’s broadcast may have delivered one of the most significant offseason revelations in recent LCK history.
Following T1’s recent departure of coach Lim “Comet” Hye-sung and analytics head Gary “Tolki” Mialaret, the organization’s search for new coaching talent took an unexpected turn when Effort inadvertently displayed private Discord conversations during his live stream.
[Leak & Rumour] So as many of you have sent me, it was leaked by Effort on stream that LS will be joining T1, confirming rumours of some time ago.
Rumours I’ve heard about this said that T1 was a good choice for LS because of his projects, which are related to player development
https://t.co/HM2JSUlZbv
— LEC Wooloo 🇪🇺 (@LEC_Wooloo)
November 2, 2020
The exposed Discord interface appeared to show communications between T1 management, prominent streamer and caster Nick “LS” Cesare, and former StarCraft 2 professional Choi “Polt” Seong-hun. Based on preliminary translations, a T1 representative presented both individuals as incoming coaching staff members, with Polt reportedly positioned as head coach.
This potential staffing revelation aligns with recent indications that T1 has been actively scouting coaching candidates. T1 CEO Joe Marsh’s recent Twitter teases about upcoming announcements further fuel speculation about imminent coaching changes. While many supporters hoped for the return of legendary coach Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun following his departure from Vici Gaming, this new development suggests alternative directions for the team’s leadership structure.
Well at least in an hour we can finally to start to:
pic.twitter.com/UPgba5Fgv6— Joe Marsh (@JoeMar)
October 31, 2020
Could LS Be the Right Strategic Mind for T1’s LCK Campaign?
Community speculation about LS transitioning into a coaching position has circulated for months, though the influential content creator consistently denied such moves. LS previously stated that returning to coaching would negatively impact his LCK casting commitments and his thriving streaming enterprise.
LS’s coaching resume includes tenures with organizations like bbq Olivers, Tempo Storm, and Gravity, though his primary focus in recent years has shifted toward broadcasting and content production. Despite this transition, he remains one of League of Legends’ most respected analytical voices, particularly renowned for his innovative perspectives on draft strategy and item optimization.
The potential partnership with Polt creates an intriguing dynamic between two distinct expertise areas. Polt brings extensive competitive experience from StarCraft 2’s professional scene, though his direct involvement in high-level League of Legends remains limited. His value proposition includes comprehensive esports management knowledge and native Korean language fluency. In this configuration, LS would likely serve as the primary strategic authority while collaborating with Polt to maximize the potential of T1’s talented player roster.
Theoretically, this coaching combination presents compelling advantages, though it simultaneously represents substantial organizational risk for T1. Korean esports organizations traditionally favor conservative, experienced coaching approaches, leaving uncertainty about Polt’s capacity to excel in such a demanding leadership position. Regardless of potential challenges, numerous fans express enthusiasm about the prospect of LS guiding legendary mid-laner Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, potentially creating one of the most analytically sophisticated player-coach relationships in League history.
Should these leaks prove accurate, T1 will likely issue official confirmation in the coming days. The organization faces critical decisions about balancing innovation with proven coaching methodologies in the highly competitive LCK landscape.
Action Checklist
- Monitor T1’s official social media channels for coaching announcements
- Analyze LS’s recent content for hints about career direction changes
- Review Polt’s StarCraft 2 coaching record for transferable skills assessment
- Track T1 player performance metrics in upcoming matches for coaching impact analysis
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Did Effort just leak LS and Polt joining T1 as coaches? Analyzing the potential impact of LS and Polt joining T1's coaching staff and what it means for the team's future