Over the last five years, CLG has grown a reputation for being the most contrarian team in the NA LCS. In a way that pays homage to the organization’s “Counter Logic” name, the LCS team plays a chaotic style predicated on wonky draft picks and aggressive scripted plays. It’s a formula that’s worked, producing two championships over the last five years.
The man at the center of it all was coach Tony “Zikz” Gray. Over the years, Zikz had become one of the region’s best strategic minds. But after massive changes to the meta game and league, Zikz found it hard to keep up in season eight. That led to the surprising news today that CLG has let go of its longtime coach.
This has to be a gut punch for many CLG fans. For years, the team built around the minds of Zikz and support player Zaqueri “Aphromoo” Black. But after Aphromoo moved to 100 Thieves last offseason, Zikz has struggled to get the team back on track. Now, both are gone.
CLG did have some good moments this year, starting out the Summer Split with a 5-3 record after four weeks. Under Zikz, CLG normally improves over the second half of each split, but that hasn’t happened this summer and the team has slid to 5-9, dropping six straight games.
That was enough for CLG to make a change. In Zikz’s place will be assistant coach Zach Goldman. After the announcement was made on social media, Zikz posted on Twitter showing gratitude for his time coaching the team.
Overall, this is a shocking change, especially in the middle of the season. The team, now without their leader of five years, will try and break their losing streak vs. Clutch Gaming on Saturday at 6pm CT.
