T1’s Kkoma Takes Temporary Leave, Tom Steps In As Interim Coach
In a surprising development for the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK), T1 head coach Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun has announced a temporary leave of absence, effective immediately. The team confirmed the news on Monday, March 23, 2026, stating the leave is due to personal reasons.
Tom will assume the role of interim head coach for T1 during kkOma’s absence. The move comes as the LCK season is set to begin, adding an unexpected challenge for the storied organization.
The announcement coincided with the 13th anniversary of Faker’s professional debut, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. Faker, widely regarded as one of the greatest League of Legends players of all time, has been a cornerstone of T1’s success for over a decade.
kkOma, a five-time World Champion as coach of SK Telecom T1 and DWG KIA, returned to T1 in 2025 after a four-year absence. His return was met with considerable excitement from fans, and he recently led South Korea to a gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. He was also awarded the “Esports Coach of the Decade” prize at the Esports Awards 2025.
According to reports, kkOma may be joining the coaching staff for the Asian Games, though this has not been officially confirmed. The team statement did not provide a timeline for kkOma’s return, leaving fans and analysts speculating about the duration of his leave.
The decision to step away comes after kkOma signed a contract with T1 during the League of Legends World Championship period, despite the team’s roster for the following year not yet being finalized. He expressed a desire to spend the next decade with T1, emphasizing that his decision wasn’t solely based on financial considerations.
This unexpected change in leadership presents a challenge for T1 as they prepare to compete for another LCK title and a potential berth at the Mid-Season Invitational. The team will rely on Tom’s experience to navigate the early stages of the season and maintain their competitive edge.
