Finding a Qualified SC2 Coach/Manager

What do you think is the best way to find a qualified coach or manager for SC2?

I am speaking in terms of someone who has the knowledge and contacts to find and develop upcoming players be it in Korea, NA, or Europe. I am the Manager of Orbit Gaming and this is something that I am going to have a lot of interest in going forward.You may recognize our Organization from League of Legends where our team just took 7th Place at MLG Anaheim. They have been a team for about 3 weeks prior to MLG Anaheim and it was their first LAN. While this is not something that is as likely in SC2 with high skilled individuals, finding players who can get to a level where they can win is something we want. I know with Starcraft 2 the top talent has to be bought out and requires a lot of expenses. To me I believe for the game to continue growing as a competitive eSports title finding talent and getting them to LANS when they are ready is also very important. In addition to possibly signing some established players giving high skilled individuals who may be unproven at LAN is something we are interested in doing but, to judge this we need a known Coach/Manager who puts the players under a tough and rigorous practice schedule.

We would have no issue sending players from Korea who have the potential to win an event or place very highly. The question to us would be in evaluating such players. Sending two players who have proven themselves to a Manager/Coach or in some sort of online leagues or tournaments would be essential. For me personally as a Manager I work hard at connecting teams from Asia, Europe and North America together. I believe that when you are able to train or practice together you pickup many things that players in your region simply do not do or just are not used to seeing. ESports continues to grow and for a North American organization like ourselves connecting with other parts of the world will only help it grow as long as it is done in a professional and serious matter.

If you guys please may how would you go about doing this? This is obviously someone who would be payed, maybe not a ton at the start but as we get bigger that would increase. Do you feel it is best to go for Managers/Coaches in Korea who used to be part of a major organizations or who were once professional Starcraft players themselves. Starcraft in itself is a very different game than say Dota 2 or League of Legends. Finding talent and preparing them for tournaments is very different and not that easy. A Gaming House is what many established teams have but, for now I believe operating with a Manager/Coach who can establish strict practice schedules would work as well until we are at the level to get one.

Thanks and looking forward to some responses.

Last edit: 2012-06-23 06:58:36

Antylamon United States. June 21 2012 14:38. Posts 1376

Profile #

The cut-off title kind of reminded me of Portal 2

"You're not qualified to be a stalemate associate. You need a qualified stalemate associate for this type of situation. In fact, I'm adding that to the list: Impersonating a stalemate associate. It's a list of..." etc. etc.

Anyways, nice job taking the time to write an in-depth OP. I wish you the best of luck.

Vindicare605 United States. June 21 2012 14:38. Posts 6503

Profile Blog #

I suppose the best person to talk to would be a professional player. Preferably one that's been a part of e-sports for a long time.

It's the team house environment in general that can help a player improve. All the coaches and managers really have to do is support the players in a logistical way, (dealing with tournament registrations etc.) so that the players can devote as much time to practice as possible.

As far as practice itself goes, that's not an easy thing to really judge, because players all improve under different conditions, and even then I feel as though a coach or manager plays less of a role in helping his players improve as the teammates have on each other.

Just my two cents. Also for what it's worth I totally agree with your philosophy on growing talent as opposed to buying it. I appreciate what you'll be doing for the scene just in advance.

Last edit: 2012-06-21 14:41:09

Official Caster for .SCA @KTVindicare: twitter, twitch.tv/ktvindicare: stream, ktvindicare@hotmail.com

Akio00 United States. June 21 2012 14:39. Posts 97

Profile #

oGs.TheWind is a free agent I believe

OrbitGaming United States. June 21 2012 14:45. Posts 24

Profile #

On June 21 2012 14:38 Vindicare605 wrote:
I suppose the best person to talk to would be a professional player.

It's the team house environment in general that can help a player improve. All the coaches and managers really have to do is support the players in a logistical way, (dealing with tournament registrations etc.) so that the players can devote as much time to practice as possible.

As far as practice itself goes, that's not an easy thing to really judge, because players all improve under different conditions, and even then I feel as though a coach or manager plays less of a role in helping his players improve as the teammates have on each other.

Just my two cents.

Thanks for the response.

It is very true that in the end it is players themselves who motivate and coach each other. What I am essential looking for is an individual or maybe a group of people who can find assemble a team of players and help them organize until the routine becomes second nature. There will be players who do not operate best under the same conditions. For example, for some players a practice schedule of 8 hours a day may just be exhausting and not needed. However, it is also true that until you are at a level where you do not need 8 hours a day of practice, practicing that much helps with many things.

Speaking to a professional player would be good but, one player does not usually make a team. I myself know that I cannot be the one who Manages/Coaches these players. I do help with this in many other games, however, the quality of management I would give to the players would not be what I would want if I was in their shoes. Thus, finding a Manager/Coach to me is the best option. Now, there is always the option of finding a team who is already established but, with this comes a lot of other questions that need to be asked and dealt with. With a Coach/Manager he would be able to handle the Starcraft 2 responsibilities and I would be able to help with the business sides that naturally comes with my position in a organization.

Yoshi Kirishima United States. June 21 2012 14:45. Posts 9003

Profile Blog #

I don't have any advice/ideas/experience but I always was curious about the managing/coaching part of esports. We never really hear about it (or at least I don't see stuff about it), so I don't even have a basic idea of what it's like (except for the specific coaches who just live in an already acquired team house and, for example in sc2, analyze players' play for them, analyze their replays for them, tell them what they did wrong in the previous set in a match at a live tournament or how they can improve next game, making strategies to prepare them against someone, testing strategies out, etc.)

However I do think that those who are experienced (like mentioned before, TheWind) should do a decent job at worst. Since there seems to be so little information about this kind of stuff around, I think the best idea may be to, as you suggest, hire someone who is already experienced in that kind of stuff in esports.

Mid-master streaming MECH ONLY + commentary www.twitch.tv/yoshikirishima +++ "If all-in fails, all-in again."

OrbitGaming United States. June 21 2012 14:47. Posts 24

Profile #

On June 21 2012 14:38 Antylamon wrote:
The cut-off title kind of reminded me of Portal 2

Thanks. I am definitely taking this very seriously and any help will be greatly appreciated. I have contacts for everything outside of Starcraft 2 as I am just now starting to look into the possibilities of a team for Orbit Gaming.

I have personally followed the scene and do play the game but, my current contacts are not ones who would be able to fit such a position

menaceko United States. June 21 2012 14:50. Posts 58

Profile #

If you have money and want to get into a serious venture, I would contant TheWind and buy out most of the oGs players....

loads of them need a home, and TheWind is probably the best sc2 coach period.

OrbitSuperNoVa kinda looks good too xD

BW: Nal_rA, JangBi, Grape, Stork, Brave, Bisu, mini, Horang2, BeSt, Movie, Jaehoon, Pusan, Kal, Shuttle, Reach, Anytime SC2: PartinG, Squirtle. HerO, NonY, MaNa, MC, HuK, SaSe, WhiteRa, Genius, Inori, Oz, ToD, JYP, KilleR(SangHo), VINES, TAiLS, NaNiwa

OrbitGaming United States. June 21 2012 14:50. Posts 24

Profile #

On June 21 2012 14:45 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:
I don't have any advice/ideas/experience but I always was curious about the managing/coaching part of esports. We never really hear about it (or at least I don't see stuff about it), so I don't even have a basic idea of what it's like (except for the specific coaches who just live in an already acquired team house and, for example in sc2, analyze players' play for them, analyze their replays for them, tell them what they did wrong in the previous set in a match at a live tournament or how they can improve next game, making strategies to prepare them against someone, testing strategies out, etc.)

However I do think that those who are experienced (like mentioned before, TheWind) should do a decent job at worst. Since there seems to be so little information about this kind of stuff around, I think the best idea may be to, as you suggest, hire someone who is already experienced in that kind of stuff in esports.

We are definitely interested in finding someone who has experience. I believe this is essential if we wish to get the quality of players needed to place well in events such as MLG, etc.

I agree with what you said that finding Coaches/Managers is a lot more difficult than it may be sound because often you only hear about the players only.

OrbitGaming United States. June 21 2012 14:58. Posts 24

Profile #

On June 21 2012 14:50 menaceko wrote:
If you have money and want to get into a serious venture, I would contant TheWind and buy out most of the oGs players....

loads of them need a home, and TheWind is probably the best sc2 coach period.

OrbitSuperNoVa kinda looks good too xD

Well buying out players like I said is something we will look into but, being fairly young as an organization I feel doing this would really limit us financially until we pickup the sponsors to support this. We would have absolutely no problem buying out contracts if long-term we had the finances to do this. We will be signing our players under contracts but, buying out contracts is a different story until we have the sponsors to do this.

In regards to TheWind would you know the best way to contact him?

Last edit: 2012-06-23 06:56:46

SimDawg United States. June 21 2012 15:26. Posts 1295

Profile #

On June 21 2012 14:58 OrbitGaming wrote:

Show nested quote +

Well buying out players like I said is something we would defiantly look into but, being fairly young as an organization I feel doing this would really limit us financially until we pickup the sponsors to support this. We would have absolutely no problem buying out contracts if long-term we had the finances to do this. We will be signing our players under contracts but, buying out contracts is a different story until we have the sponsors to do this.

In regards to TheWind would you know the best way to contact him?

Nazgul or any of the Liquid admin guys could put you in contact probably.

OrbitGaming United States. June 22 2012 06:26. Posts 24

Profile #

Any other Managers/Coaches that you guys know of?

OrbitGaming United States. June 23 2012 06:57. Posts 24

Profile #

Still looking for more feedback on this question

FT.aCt)Sony United States. June 23 2012 07:00. Posts 645

Profile #

Scheduling practice sessions will end up being defined by how determined the players are and if they want to stick to that regiment.

Without having the dedication from the players to start, having the type of coach/manger won't make that huge of a difference because they are the focal point for doing scheduling/scouting/etc.. but in turn its the players choice to stick to that and do just that.

Could speak with Fograw from Quantic, he was the team manager for awhile before being bumped into a new position higher up or I can get you in contact with MYi's Managers/Coaches/CEO's.

MYiSony | http://www.My-Intent.net | Twitter @TeamMYi | Stream @ twitch.tv/ftactsony

OrbitGaming United States. June 23 2012 07:06. Posts 24

Profile #

On June 23 2012 07:00 FT.aCt)Sony wrote:
Scheduling practice sessions will end up being defined by how determined the players are and if they want to stick to that regiment.

Without having the dedication from the players to start, having the type of coach/manger won't make that huge of a difference because they are the focal point for doing scheduling/scouting/etc.. but in turn its the players choice to stick to that and do just that.

Could speak with Fograw from Quantic, he was the team manager for awhile before being bumped into a new position higher up or I can get you in contact with MYi's Managers/Coaches/CEO's.

It would be part of the Manager/Coaches job to find players who he believes will be able to practice and play at a level where they can compete at events.

I would be glad to have some contacts, however, if they're in another organization already it may be best to not bother them without first contacting the Owner. I would prefer someone who is not with another organization at this time.

FT.aCt)Sony United States. June 23 2012 07:22. Posts 645

Profile #

On June 23 2012 07:06 OrbitGaming wrote:

Show nested quote +

Was referencing them for questions that you could ask or guidance if needed.

MYiSony | http://www.My-Intent.net | Twitter @TeamMYi | Stream @ twitch.tv/ftactsony

KalWarkov Germany. June 23 2012 07:30. Posts 2808

Profile Blog #

i think you should ask ppl that are rly connected to the scene, may it be managers, casters and stuff like that. They might give u better responses as we do.

DiaBoLuS *** HotS Grandmaster level Protoss / 6x GM in WoL & Dota2 very high bracket pub player *** TOP 30 Foreigner Ranking (Blog) - http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=412415 ***

OrbitGaming United States. June 23 2012 07:30. Posts 24

Profile #

On June 23 2012 07:22 FT.aCt)Sony wrote:

Show nested quote +

Was referencing them for questions that you could ask or guidance if needed.

Ah, I would definitely like to speak to them in that case. Do you know if they have Skype?

Temple United States. June 23 2012 07:40. Posts 33

Profile #

You may want to look into contacting XerisLighT, he has been a manager of many teams and would probably have good idea of where to start looking and what to do.

LavendrGooms United States. June 23 2012 07:48. Posts 133

Profile #

Obviously a ex-pro gamer would be ideal. But realistically anyone that has experience in coaching a (somewhat) successful team can apply the same ideas to a Starcraft 2 team. Just my thought...

I could be completely wrong though. I'm just an average person behind a computer screen lol.

www.twitch.tv/rinkor16