Sources: Cloud9 Rebuilds Under New Head Coach Arian

Cloud9 New York is entering a full rebuild ahead of the Black Ops 7 season, led by newly promoted head coach Arian, who steps up from his role as assistant coach. The organization, which has struggled to find consistent success in recent years, is betting on Arian’s analytical background to bring a fresh, data-driven approach to roster construction. Despite operating with one of the smaller budgets in the CDL, Cloud9 believes this change in philosophy can help the team punch above its weight.

Arian’s vision for the roster centers around the UK duo Ben "Beans" McMellon and Marcus "Afro" Reid, two players with proven potential but unfinished business in the league. Afro, once a breakout star for the London Royal Ravens, led the team to a third-place finish at Major 1 during the Vanguard season. Though his form dipped during his stint with Minnesota Rokkr, he bounced back in the Challengers circuit last year, reasserting himself as one of the top SMG players outside the CDL.

Beans, meanwhile, is looking to rebound from a turbulent year with Toronto Ultra, where a promising start ended with him on the bench during the Esports World Cup. Known for his mechanical skill and precision, Beans enters this season with something to prove, making this partnership with Afro a potential redemption arc for both.

Cloud9 is also targeting Makenzie "Mack" Kelley and Reece "Vivid" Drost, two members of the OMiT roster that shocked Atlanta FaZe at the Esports World Cup. While neither player has superstar status, both bring reliability and experience. Vivid’s career has seen highs and lows, but his teams rarely improve after his departure, a reminder that his aggressive playstyle remains valuable when properly integrated. Mack, on the other hand, offers upside. At his best, he’s shown flashes of being one of the league’s top 20 players over his six-year career, and Cloud9 hopes to reignite that level of performance in a stable environment.

Overall, Cloud9’s strategy this offseason is clear: prioritize proven veteran talent that played very well in Challengers last season. It’s a riskier approach, but one that could pay off big if the roster finds early chemistry. In addition, sources indicate Cloud9 is in talks to bring in an assistant coach, with former LAG and Toronto Ultra coach MarkyB emerging as the leading candidate. With a revamped coaching staff and a roster full of players eager to prove themselves, Cloud9 New York looks poised to surprise in the Black Ops 7 era.