NRG announced that assistant coach Strong is no longer with the organization. The news came without much warning or explanation beyond calling it an “unfortunate situation.”
Strong wasted no time looking for his next opportunity. Shortly after the announcement, he posted that he’s actively seeking coaching offers. The quick turnaround suggests this wasn’t a planned departure on his end.
The timing is notable. NRG has been performing well in recent Valorant Champions Tour events. Assistant coaches typically handle opponent scouting, VOD review packages, and anti-stratting for specific matches. Losing that support ahead of the next competitive stage isn’t ideal.
One possible factor is logistics. Strong was reportedly working remotely from the UK and only flying out for major events. Remote coaching in Valorant comes with real challenges. Time zone differences make scrim schedules complicated. In-person presence matters for stage matches and bootcamps.
Many top Valorant teams are moving toward fully on-site coaching structures. If NRG decided they needed all staff present for the upcoming season, that could explain the split even without performance issues.
The organization hasn’t announced a replacement yet. Head coach Bonkar remains with the team. Whether NRG brings in another assistant coach or continues with a smaller staff structure is unclear.
