❘ Revealed: 2024-11-21T15:41:49
On November 14, lower than a month earlier than the 2025 Name of Responsibility League season kicks off, Vegas Falcons introduced that they might be bringing COD veteran James ‘Clayster’ Eubanks into their teaching employees. And for the three-time world champion, it’d simply be the right first transfer in his post-playing profession.
Clayster formally retired from competing on October 23 is without doubt one of the most celebrated and embellished COD gamers in historical past, up there with the likes of Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter and Seth ‘Scump’ Abner.
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There was a lot hypothesis over what Clay would do following his retirement. He has been a desk analyst lately at occasions he didn’t qualify for, and all the time seemed a pure alongside the extra seasoned expertise, so many assumed he would go in that path.
Others believed he may go down the content material route, whereas some appropriately guessed that he may attempt to discover a teaching position – although not many would have guessed he would find yourself with Falcons, the brand new youngsters on the block.
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Falcons introduced they might be taking the Vegas Legion CDL spot after the 2024 season ended, and in addition revealed that they might be bringing their Saudi Arabia-based Challengers roster with them – sticking by the staff that made strides in newbie European competitors final yr.
Whereas some have questioned Clay’s choice to affix this staff, already predicted to be a prime 12 staff with a low ceiling, it’s really the right job if he’s severe about turning into an excellent coach, for quite a lot of causes.
Associated:
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The one means is up
Firstly, whereas we don’t need to write off any groups earlier than a map has even been performed, it is rather possible that Falcons are the worst staff within the league. That is no disrespect to them: they are going to be conscious of the narrative surrounding them and know they’re going up in opposition to gamers who’ve been within the league for years.
However this works completely for Clay as he now has an excellent basis to construct on. A staff of 4 gamers about to embark on their dream collectively and have already got nice chemistry – he simply has to impart his greater than a decade’s value of knowledge on them, and the one means is up.
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He can mildew them particularly into the gamers they have to be and utterly change their trajectory within the league.
If he may help them work their means up the rankings, Clayster instantly turns into one of the crucial in-demand and revered coaches in Name of Responsibility, and given the modest expectations, the strain to carry out is way decrease than if he joined somebody like world champions OpTic Texas or Atlanta FaZe.
Clayster has had a protracted and storied professional profession.
Clay’s means
Secondly, and maybe by extension of the earlier level, this permits Clay to search out his model as a coach, one thing that he should refine over time and determine what works and what doesn’t.
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Higher but, due to the staff’s scenario, it’s a better problem than if he had simply began teaching a staff of winners with gamers he already had nice relationships with.
In a Twitch stream after the announcement, Clay stated: “Having the ability to work with some guys who possibly don’t know me so properly however nonetheless have some respect for me being as completed as I’m in COD, I believe it’ll be a bit simpler to teach them. They’ll hearken to what I say extra. However, I’ve to be extra cautious with what I say. I would like to verify I’m not simply spewing. I must ensure that after I discuss I really am right in what I’m saying.”
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He added that he has “principally coached all his groups” during the last couple of years anyway simply whereas taking part in, however this clearly presents a brand new problem and precisely the type he was on the lookout for.
Whereas there will likely be naysayers and critics who consider Clay has made a woeful alternative right here, for those who merely check out the context and the chance that this presents, you’ll notice that this would possibly really be the right subsequent step for Clay.
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Now, solely time will inform whether or not he can grow to be one of many (only a few) nice coaches in Name of Responsibility.
