During the offseason, Team Liquid made changes to their players, ownership and of course, their coach. New Team Liquid head coach, David Lim, follows the footesteps that Locodoco left behind for him to either follow or move away from. Formerly the coach for Team Liquid Academy, he has been promoted and given a shot to help support and nurture a team filled with young talent. We caught up with him to talk about his new role as Team Liquid head coach.

How does it feel to be the head coach of Team Liquid after spending time as their NACS Coach?

David Lim: I felt like I had a lot to learn about the game at the highest level and working under the structure of the liquid organization and being mentored by Locodoco helped me foster the skills I need to be successful. So overall I feel great and prepared.

You actually had prior experience as a high school basketball coach. How and what made you want to transition into being a coach in esports?

David Lim: I've played League since Season 1 and followed the scene since. I loved the game and what the pro scene had become and I felt I had the skillset to provide value so I looked for a way in and found a Team Liquid job posting.

So you started out with a very talented roster in Team Liquid Academy. In fact, many back then were saying it was the next C9. What was it about Team Liquid Academy that made them special to coach? Was the hype deserved?

David Lim: The team will always be special to me as it was the first team I coached. We were dominating challenger and we did very well in terms of scrims versus LCS teams. We went undefeated in the NACS qualifier and were on the right track. I think we still had a ways to go to beat those LCS teams on stage but we were progressing well as a team.

If that team had never disbanded and stayed together, where could you see that team placing in the NA LCS? Also, would you be able to give explanation for your prediction?

David Lim: I think we would place above what Apex placed. We would have been a little bit better then them in my opinion but we still had a ways to go to crack the top 5 of NA.

What were things that TLA lacked that the top 5 teams in NA had over you?

David Lim: We just had a really good base to work off of but we weren't polished yet in certain aspects of the game such as closing out games efficiently.

Team Liquid Academy during the 2017 Spring Promotion Tournament. (Credits to TeamLiquidPro.com)

So going off of that, CS:GO used to allow coaches to speak during game as somewhat of a sixth player. What is your opinion for a format that allows coaches to speak during the games? Do you think a rule like that could ever work in LCS?

David Lim: Personally, I do like it as I'm used to screaming my lungs out on the sidelines during a basketball game. It will add a new element to rank coaches in.

As a coach, what mentality towards reaching goals do you enforce on your players to follow?

David Lim: I want to find out my players intrinsic motivations and use that to set tangible goals that will allow both the coaching staff and the player to evaluate progress.

Why do you feel that with you as head coach, Liquid will be able to break this barrier that has held the org back for many seasons?

David Lim: I think I just bring a fresh perspective, I've also had a year to develop and prepare myself for the upcoming season. We are using alot of this offseason to do all the prep needed to have a successful season.

Do you believe your game knowledge has grew? Or your ability to handle player emotions in this year you spent with the organization?

David Lim: All of the above, I worked to pinpoint and focus on my weaknesses throughout last split and went about researching major League of Legends concepts. I believe my game knowledge is night and day to when it first started.

Team Liquid Academy 2016 NACS Summer Finals. Taken from Riot Games Stream.

Out of curiosity, what were some of the major League of Legends concepts you mentioned?

David Lim: Mostly how to set up and contest objectives as a team. How to get in the best lane setups to maximize playmaking using given or earned priority.

How do you stop players from breaking down after a bad streak of games or tilting play?

David Lim: Mostly recognizing signs of it early, seeing if there are patterns on when and why it happens, and making sure the atmosphere is at a stage where communication liens will be open where we can actively look to limit tilting or having a player be able to reset.

What excites you the most about being the Team Liquid coach? In other words, what is something that you will be able to do as an LCS coach that you may not have been able to do as an NACS coach?

David Lim: I want to be able to compete at the top level and this promotion allows me to do that. I want to face adversities and work through the top pressures that this game can offer.

The floor is yours, is there anything else you would like to say?

David Lim: I know TL fans have been dissapointed the last few splits, we from a management and staff are doing all we can to have a successful offseason and will work to translate that into results. Be ready, great things are coming for TL.

Best wishes to David Lim in his first LCS split. Make sure to follow him on his social media platforms.

David's Twitter