TL;DR
- Tony ‘Zikz’ Gray joins as head coach after disappointing TSM tenure
- Organization shifts from expensive imports to developing North American talent
- Jungler Amazing departs as team pursues younger roster with growth potential
- Potential transfers of Bang and Ssumday could provide immediate financial flexibility
- New roster strategy emphasizes long-term development over quick fixes
In a significant coaching acquisition, 100 Thieves has secured former Team SoloMid strategist Tony “Zikz” Gray, announcing the pivotal signing through their official social media channels.
The organization is executing strategic changes leading into the 2020 Spring Split, with Zikz taking leadership of their LCS coaching staff following a challenging season with TSM. This represents the inaugural personnel decision orchestrated by newly appointed general manager Christopher “PapaSmithy” Smith, who previously established his reputation as a prominent esports analyst.
Zikz brings extensive League of Legends expertise to 100 Thieves, having previously coached Counter Logic Gaming to multiple LCS championships. His analytical approach to draft strategy and player development aligns with the team’s renewed competitive vision.
100 Thieves Strategic Overhaul: Building for Sustainable Success
According to PapaSmithy’s strategic vision, the franchise is implementing a fundamentally transformed competitive philosophy for the 2020 season and beyond. Rather than continuing the industry trend of acquiring costly international players, the organization will prioritize cultivating domestic North American prospects.
The management specifically sought a coach with deep regional understanding and established credibility among professional competitors, making Zikz the ideal selection. This talent development strategy mirrors approaches seen in other esports titles where building from within creates more sustainable competitive advantages.
“My comprehensive coaching search initiated and concluded with Tony – I couldn’t envision a more suitable Head Coach for 100 Thieves’ 2020 transformation,” PapaSmithy emphasized in his social media statement.
During the official reveal video, Zikz explained how his competitive philosophy synchronizes perfectly with PapaSmithy’s organizational direction, making the decision to join straightforward. The coach also reflected on his TSM experience, noting he never achieved proper synchronization with that organization’s culture.
This observation reinforces circulating speculation that TSM’s internal environment has grown increasingly challenging for both competitors and support staff to navigate successfully.
100 Thieves’ revamped competitive blueprint excludes jungler Maurice “Amazing” Stückenschneider, who joined the squad during the Summer 2019 split. Amazing arrived during a period of organizational crisis as the team desperately sought direction after concluding the spring campaign in last position.
While providing renewed energy and strategic insight, Amazing’s contributions proved insufficient to secure a postseason appearance for 100 Thieves. His departure highlights the organization’s commitment to their new developmental direction.
Industry sources suggest 100 Thieves may pursue a youthful lineup possessing significant potential and capacity for future growth. The franchise is reportedly considering transferring former World Championship winning bot laner Bae “Bang” Jun-sik and elite top lane specialist Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho to generate immediate financial resources.
The restructured competitive roster won’t receive official confirmation until after November 18, when the free agency period formally commences.
This organizational shift represents a calculated gamble in the highly competitive LCS landscape. While developing domestic talent typically requires longer timelines, successful implementation can create more cohesive team dynamics and sustainable competitive advantages.
Common pitfalls in roster rebuilds include inadequate veteran leadership, insufficient developmental infrastructure, and unrealistic performance expectations during transition periods. Teams should anticipate at least one full competitive split before expecting significant results from such strategic transformations.
The potential departure of established stars like Bang and Ssumday, while financially beneficial short-term, creates immediate competitive challenges that must be carefully managed through strategic acquisitions and patient development.
Action Checklist
- Establish clear philosophical alignment between coaching staff and management before roster decisions
- Balance financial considerations with competitive needs when planning player acquisitions
- Implement structured development programs for young talent with defined progression timelines
- Monitor free agency timelines and market movements to optimize acquisition opportunities
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Zikz joins 100 Thieves as head coach while Amazing leaves How 100 Thieves is rebuilding their League of Legends roster with a focus on North American talent development