Joshua “Jatt” Leesman switches from the casting desk of the most important American competition in League of Legends to the coaching staff for one of the most prestigious organizations in modern esports – Team Liquid. This move was announced on Monday, May 4.
It came as a surprise for many experts and fans. The former Riot Games shoutcaster Jatt will be the new head coach for the four times LCS champion Team Liquid. After a horrible Spring Split 2020 with a ninth-place finish and the departure of star player Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng, the organization was looking for major changes to get back to the top of the region.
Jatt begins a new chapter in his career with this being his first coaching experience in professional League of Legends after casting the game for several years. Meanwhile former head coach of Team Liquid, Jang “Cain” Nu-ri, who won four splits in a row with the team in 2018 and 2019, will remain as the strategic coach.
Jatt: “It feels natural”
“I don’t think the transition is going to be easy, but I don’t think it is that uncommon,” Jatt explained confidently during his official presentation as the new head coach of Team Liquid. “It feels natural even if it is such a big change.”
In fact, former pro players like Maurice “Amazing” Stückenschneider have made similar steps in their careers. The German switched from being a player to the role of an LEC analyst and later went on to become the Strategic Manager of FC Schalke 04 Esports. Currently Amazing fills the role as Strategic Coach for Misfits Gaming quite successfully.
Now it is Jatt’s turn to prove himself in a completely new position with the LCS Summer Split 2020 starting on June 13. His analyzing skills in order to understand the state of the game and develop strategies for his new team will most likely be very helpful.
Jatt was a part of League of Legends publisher Riot Games for over eight years, either as an analyst, a shoutcaster or a member of the balance team, who is highly respected within the American community. In the early days of League of Legends, Jatt played professionally for Dignitas before joining Riot Games in late 2011.
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