100 Thieves has officially confirmed signing the contract extension of their star coach Anthony “Zikz” Gray with its Valorant roster. The news, which was revealed through an X post on August 14th, states that Zikz has been signed as the head coach of the organization until 2027.
“Tony is a rarity in the esports space. There are few individuals in the scene that can maintain a world-class form across different titles,” Joseph Jang, Vice President of Esports for 100 Thieves, said in a statement. “I know firsthand how much dedication, grit, and passion he brings to his craft, and I know he is the best fit to lead the future of the program.”
Despite a strong start in VCT 2024, 100 Thieves experienced a disappointing downturn in the latter half of the season. However, the organization is looking to gain an edge for the upcoming VCT season by securing their head coach early, even as Champions 2024 is underway.
100T secured victory in the VCT Stage 1 playoffs, earning a spot at Masters Shanghai. However, their momentum faltered in the VCT Stage 2 playoffs, where they fell short of success. As a result, 100T missed out on qualifying for the prestigious Valorant Champions 2024, failing to finish in the top three and lacking the necessary championship points.
“My first year as a VALORANT head coach was a valuable learning experience,” Zikz said. “We made good progress implementing my system and culture, and I’m excited to build on that foundation with the insights we gained.”
Before joining 100 Thieves, Zikz was a part of the Evil Geniuses roster who were the winners of Champions 2023. Prior to that, he guided Counter Logic Gaming to the MSI League of Legends Finals in 2016 and led them to an LCS championship in the same season.
