ScrunK named new BIG head coach

The German organization hopes new leadership will get the team back into the top 20.

BIG has announced the signing of Robin "⁠ScrunK⁠" Röpke as the team's new head coach with the goal of reentering the top 20 in the world ranking. He will take the place of interim coach Sebastian "⁠xenn⁠" Hoch, who will stay on as an assistant while also managing the German organization's academy team.

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ScrunK played for several German teams competing at the local level during his career, such as DIVIZON, EURONICS, and ALTERNATE aTTaX, before moving to Sangal and later Fire Flux in international lineups.

Between his last two international ventures, from October 2023 to February 2024, the 29-year-old was HEROIC's analyst, a stepping stone to making the jump to coaching full time in Germany's top side.

"After many years as a player, filled with highs and lows, this felt like the right moment to close that chapter because the fire simply wasn't there anymore for the grind that modern-day players are expected to embrace," says ScrunK.

"However, my love for CS has never faded, and when I found out about the coaching opportunity at BIG, I knew I wanted to take it.

"I believe BIG currently has the best German players united in one lineup, and I'm very confident that we will succeed in bringing out the best in this team together."

This signing marks a renewal in BIG's coaching staff and continues the rebuilding period that started with the return of BIG Academy.

"Every team goes through phases of transition, and now is the right moment for us to take the next step," says BIG's CGO, Roman "⁠Roman R.⁠" Reinhardt.

"We are restructuring our coaching staff and starting this new chapter with renewed energy. With Robin ‘ScrunK’, we’ve found the perfect person to lead this evolution.

"Robin brings international experience from multiple perspectives: as a player for Sangal and Fireflux, and as an analyst for Heroic. He’s a strategic thinker, a clear communicator, and he understands exactly what a modern CS team needs to succeed."

ScrunK will have one last dance as a player at the European Esports Championship in Kosovo, where he will substitute Marcel "⁠hyped⁠" Köhn, who will be out recuperating from a small operation.

BIG is now:

Johannes "⁠tabseN⁠" Wodarz
Jon "⁠JDC⁠" de Castro
Karim "⁠Krimbo⁠" Moussa
Can "⁠kyuubii⁠" Ali
Marcel "⁠hyped⁠" Köhn

Robin "⁠ScrunK⁠" Röpke (coach)