Cloud9 Drop LS in Week 3 of the 2022 LCS Spring Split
The latest entry in what has been a wild year for the League Championship Series (LCS) thus far, North American powerhouse Cloud9 relieved Nick "LS" De Cesare of his head coaching duties and released him from the organization hours before their first match of Week 3.
Cloud9, who stood 3-1 at the time and was ousted in the Semifinals of the LCS 2022 Lock In, made the seemingly sudden, straightforward announcement on Twitter Saturday evening.
LS has been released from Cloud9 and Max Waldo has been promoted to the LCS Head Coach position.
— Cloud9 (@Cloud9) February 20, 2022
We would like to thank LS for his contributions to the team and wish him the best.
"LS has been released from Cloud9 and Max Waldo has been promoted to the LCS Head Coach position," Cloud9's Tweet said. "We would like to thank LS for his contributions to the team and wish him the best."
The announcement was perhaps as surprising as the move itself, with notable names in the scene, analysts and fans alike scattering the social media platform on short notice questioning the legitimacy of the statement.
I set out to show some things were possible (gameplay/draft/etc) & in that short time I believe we were able to show a glimpse of it. Even though the journey ends, I still feel satisfied that the team & players were able to showcase what we had, and knowing alot more was possible
— LS (@LSXYZ9) February 20, 2022
On Tuesday, Cloud9 posted a video featuring CEO Jack Etienne, Waldo, jungler Robert "Blaber" Huang and Park "Summit" Woo-tae to give some insight on the move.
Although the video voiced that the coaching change was something that needed to happen, as well as thanked LS for helping in assembling C9's current roster and staff, no specifics were given on what led to his release.
— Cloud9 (@Cloud9) February 22, 2022
"The reason why we got to the point we were with LS was that Cloud9," Etienne said in the video, "for years, has developed systems on how we like to coach and operate our team. And despite our best efforts working with LS to try to come to terms and see eye-to-eye on how that should work, we were unable to make that actually happen.
"I think it’s important to note that all players, coaches and management were aware of these issues and frustrations and our mutual efforts to try to resolve them over the last several weeks. Unfortunately, as time went on, it was really clear that we were unable to find a resolution and come together on figuring out this problem. We decided that it was important that we make a change and release LS at that point so we could move forward and focus on the future."