Coaching in CSGO: Former Players Who Can Help Teams Grow
Coaching is becoming essential for success in CSGO, and many teams are actively searching for experienced coaches. In this article, we will list former Counter-Strike players who still have ties to esports, highlighting their strengths as players and how they can help teams improve.
Harley “DSN” Örwall: DNS was a key player for Fnatic from 2005 to 2011. As the main AWPer, he earned over $635,000 in prize money. He was also the right-hand man of Patrik “cArn” Sättermon, who many consider the best in-game leader in 1.6 history. Despite retiring in 2011, DSN continues to post about CS on his Facebook page. He has expressed interest in coaching and has experience creating content, making him a suitable candidate for coaching roles in esports.
Aleksandar “Kassad” Trifunovic: Kassad was the in-game leader (IGL) of the most successful CSGO team in Serbia, iNation, from 2008 to 2014. He played a crucial role in developing many players, including Nikola “NIKO” Kovac. Kassad tried coaching in 2014, but coaching was not as prevalent as it is now. Given the importance of coaching in today’s teams, he deserves a chance to prove his skills.
Navid “Kapio” Javadi: Kapio played professionally from 2006 to 2012 and recently expressed interest in coaching. He briefly coached mousesports but unfortunately had to leave when mousesports parted ways with Fatih “Gob B” Dayik, a close friend of Kapio. However, his coaching skills remain untested, and he could be a valuable addition to any team in need of a coach.
Arseniy “ceh9” Trynozhenko: Ceh9 was a founding member of the legendary Natus Vincere (NaVi) team that dominated the world in 2010. He currently streams for NaVi on Twitch and has experience working with Sergey “Startix” Ischuk and Danylo “Zeus” Teslenko. NaVi has mentioned his influence as a motivator for the team, making him an excellent choice for a coach, especially for teams in search of a strong leader.
Dennis “walle” Wallenberg: Walle, an experienced AWPer, played from 2002 to 2011 and earned over $419,000 in tournament winnings. He played alongside legendary players like Spawn, Heaton, and Get_right. Recently, he expressed a desire to return to CSGO, making him a potential candidate for coaching positions.
Alexander “ave” Holdt: Ave was regarded as the best IGL in Denmark and one of the most respected tactical minds of 1.6. Although he announced his comeback in the mTw team, it fell through due to the departure of Zonic. Ave’s experience and tactical expertise make him a valuable asset, especially for teams seeking a knowledgeable and strategic leader.
Tommy “Potti” Ingemarsson: Potti was a founding member of NIP’s 1.6 team, which dominated the scene in 2003. He played alongside HeatoN as part of the famous duo. With earnings exceeding $300,000, Potti has recently expressed a desire to return to CSGO. Considering his experience and success, coaching could be a suitable role for him.
Mathieu “Maniac” Quiquerez: Maniac played competitively from 2012 to 2016 and briefly coached EnvyUs before joining the newly formed LDLC team. However, his coaching abilities were undervalued due to the players’ resistance to accepting other opinions and change. In a more open-minded team, Maniac’s tactical expertise could shine.
Raphael “cogu” Camargo: Cogu is a veteran player who played from 2003 until now, with fame being his primary motivator. However, Brazil’s CSGO scene is rapidly growing, and Cogu can bring his world-class experience to help develop new players in the region.
Ola “elemeNt” Moum: Unlike the other players on this list, elemeNt doesn’t currently have ties with esports or CSGO. But his leadership led NIP gaming to dominate the scene in 2003, winning every tournament they played for an entire year. Taking a risk on elemeNt could be worthwhile given his previous success.