CLG drops coaches SSONG and Weldon after poor LCS Summer Split

Olivia Richman Published 12/08/2020

After a rocky 2020 LCS Summer Split, Counter Logic Gaming has chosen to make some big changes to its coaching staff.

CLG announced that it was dismissing head coach Kim “SSONG” Sang-soo as well as coach Weldon “MindGames” Green in a somber tweet after two disappointing splits in 2020.

“We thank both for their leadership and dedication to CLG. We wish them the best in their future ventures,” CLG stated.

CLG is parting ways with Coach Ssong and Coach Weldon.

We thank both for their leadership and dedication to CLG. We wish them the best in their future ventures. pic.twitter.com/B2GeCx8TMj
— CLG (@clgaming) August 10, 2020

MindGames took to Twitter to express his disappointment in CLG’s decision, which he described as “sudden.” The former CLG coach revealed that he’d taken a pay cut and moved to Los Angeles to work for the team.

So I am suddenly unemployed in LA with a family of 6 after taking a paycut + moving debt to come work at CLG.

Anybody need end-of-season help?

Looking for instant intermittent work.
— MindGames Weldon (@MindGamesWeldon) August 10, 2020

His followers offered their support, and some even attempted to blame the team’s lackluster performance on SSONG alone. But CLG fans in general have been supportive of the team’s decision to drop both of the two coaches.

CLG don’t improve in 2020 LCS splits despite roster changes

Last year, CLG came in third during the 2019 LCS Summer Split regular season. While they were knocked out in the playoffs by Clutch Gaming, hopes were high for the team. But 2020 wasn’t neraly as exciting for CLG fans. The veteran team came in dead last in the 2020 LCS Spring Split despite boasting mid laner Lee “Crown” Min-ho and support Andy “Smoothie” Ta along with coach SSONG.

Couldn’t pull through in the end, what a rough season. Just have to do better next year no matter what pic.twitter.com/Y2LAxScUyF
— Eugene Park (@Pobelter) August 10, 2020

CLG brought on Eugene “Pobelter” Park, a veteran LCS mid laner, for the summer split. While fans rejoiced at the time, Pobelter spent the season struggling to carry his team up the standings. Pobelter even told WIN.gg that the season had been a “fever dream.” After losing to Team Dignitas, CLG ended the summer split with a disappointing 5-13 record.

With so many changes already made in 2020, CLG still managed to look more put together by the end of the season. With different coaches taking charge of the roster heading into next year, it’s possible that CLG fans will see some improvement in 2021. The team still has a promising roster that needs time to synergize and learn better communication. The upcoming break is the perfect time for a new coach to step in and tune up the team for next season.

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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