LoL: MAD Lions Renew Coaching Staff For 2022
| Tags: League of Legends
| Author David Hollingsworth
MAD Lions has made its first big announcement of the off-season, as it looks to take 2021’s success into the future.
After winning back-to-back LEC titles, and making out of the Group Stage at Worlds 2021, MAD Lions has renewed the contracts of its coaching staff. The four-person team managed to take MAD from a fresh-faced rookie roster and new boys of the LEC to champions in just two seasons. While they crashed out in the first Knockout round of Worlds, they were the only EU side to make it out of Groups, and one of only two Western sides alongside Cloud9.
Three of the four members of the team have been given new deals until 2023. Meanwhile, the other will be kept on till 2022.
- Head Coach James “Mac” MacCormack (renewed through November 2023)
- Strategic Coach Christophe “Kaas” van Oudheusden (renewed through November 2022)
- Head of Player Development Patrick “Pad” Suckow-Breum (renewed through November 2023)
- Analyst Carlos “Aagie” Carpio Cuenca (renewed through November 2023)
Looking towards the future
Adam “Adamou”, Chief Strategy Officer, OverActive Media, had this to say about the announcement:
“MAD Lions recently wrapped their most successful season to date. As back-to-back split champions and advancing to the Quarterfinals at the League of Legends World Championship, the team showed immense progress, really hitting their stride in 2021. Being able to continue with the same coaching staff who have had such a positive impact on the team puts us in a prime position as we begin planning for next year.”
Head Coach Mac has been praised for his work with MAD Lions since joining the team. He's been there all the way back when MAD Lions took over Splyce’s spot in 2019. Mac also picked up back-to-back “Best Coach” awards in the LEC in the season he was promoted to the Head Coach role. He’s also been nominated for the Esports Coach of the Year at the 2020 Esports awards taking place in November.
Speaking about the news, Head Coach James “Mac” MacCormack said:
“I’m thrilled to continue working with MAD Lions alongside such a talented group of coaching staff. I consider myself extremely lucky to have worked with everyone inside the organization, from players, to support staff, to upper management – I’m truly grateful for our journey together over the past two years. Looking ahead, we strive to make our fans and community proud by continuing to grow and thrive within the LEC, and in doing so, deliver unforgettable experiences and moments that have become synonymous with MAD Lions.”
MAD Lions will look to defend their LEC title when the LEC returns in January 2022.