FlyQuest Parts Ways with Coach erkaSt as Philosophies Diverge

FlyQuest Parts Ways with Coach erkaSt as Philosophies Diverge

FlyQuest announced today that they have benched Erdenetsogt “erkaSt” Gantulga from his role as coach. The Mongolian tactician, who has worked with the team since transitioning from Grayhound in early 2024, will no longer be working with the core squad.

ErkaSt, 30, who previously played on Australian teams (2015–2019) before turning to coaching, including stints at Grayhound and Jeeves, said in his official statement on X (formerly Twitter):

“It’s fair to say we didn’t see Counter‑Strike the same way, and there were some cultural differences too.”

Context & Performance

erkaSt had been coaching the group featuring INS and Vexite—both of whom originated from the original Grayhound roster—since 2023, spanning multiple transitions and teams.

Under his guidance at FlyQuest, the team earned a 55% win rate across approximately 195 maps coached over 1 year and 4 months.

The squad’s performance has been inconsistent: notably, they missed the main stage at Cologne, and were eliminated in the round of 32 at BLAST Bounty.

Reflections from erkaSt

Looking back to May 2024, shortly after taking the coaching role, erkaSt reflected on his transition:

“The last year was pretty bad for me as a player… I saw this as a good opportunity for me to work as a coach and now I love this job.”

This comment underlines his initial motivation and passion in shifting roles, adding depth to the narrative of his departure today.

What’s Next for FlyQuest?

FlyQuest has not yet appointed a replacement, but with international events looming—including online play in the BLAST Open London group stage—the search for a new coach is now underway.

Overall

The move marks the end of a tenure built on long-standing trust—erkaSt had been a mentor to players like INS and Vexite since Grayhound days. His departure, framed around philosophical and cultural misalignment, suggests the team is looking to realign its strategy and chemistry. FlyQuest’s upcoming international competitions will test the effectiveness of their new direction.