Sentinels hire former Olympian rower as Valorant and LoL coach

Jack Stewart, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 16/01/2026

Sentinels have hired a former Olympian to act as the performance coach for their League of Legends and Valorant teams.

David McGowan represented Australia as a rower at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, finishing fourth in the men’s coxless four.

The former rower will work with both teams to “develop systems, structures and provide mental health support for championship-level competition.

As well as competing at the Athens 2004 Olympics, McGowan also coached over 30 athletes to subsequent Olympic Games.

He also became the youngest to win a World Rowing Championship at 26 years-old when he coached the Dutch men’s lightweight eight to gold in 2007.

McGowan then went on to act as Head Coach for the national rowing programs of the Netherlands and Ireland.

With Ireland and the Netherlands, he produced multiple Rowing World Championship gold medalists.

That included Ireland’s first Women’s World Championship gold medals in 2018 and 2019.

However, McGowan also has some experience in esports, having joined Ninjas in Pyjamas as Performance Manager in 2021.

The former Olympian then spent some time with Talon Esports, an organisation that was known for its LoL and Valorant teams.

Though Paris Saint-Germain partners Talon Esports were removed from both the LCP and VCT by Riot Games after payment delays last year.

Members of Sentinels have their say on Olympian performance coach

“I want to help them [Sentinels] set up a strong structure and systems that benefit their targets,” says McGowan on Sentinels’ website.

“But I want to be in their corner when we go into the ring. Teach them how to get up when they have been punched in the face, he added.

Meanwhile, Sentinels CEO Rob Moore is feeling confident about the signing, saying: “David’s track record speaks for itself.

“He’s coached athletes to Olympic finals and World Championships. He understands what it takes to perform when everything is on the line.

“Our Valorant and League of Legends teams are built to compete for championships, and David’s experience developing elite performers will be invaluable as we push for titles in 2026.”

McGowan is already working with both teams, and Sentinels VCT head coach Adam ‘kaplan’ Kaplan says he’s already making a difference:

“I am lucky to be working alongside David and grateful to Rob & co for ensuring we get all the support needed for maximum growth & success.

“I’ve already learned a lot from David. He is a gem, and his impact has been immediate.”

Jack Stewart, Senior Editor

In my seven years of esports writing, I've introduced esports coverage to newspapers, interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry, and driven viewers mad with the puns in my YouTube scripts. I'm most proud of the latter.

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