John Beam, ‘Last Chance U’ Coach, Dies in Oakland Shooting

Daniel C
· ·

John Beam, the veteran football coach and Laney College athletic director who rose to fame through Netflix’s Last Chance U, died after a campus shooting Thursday. He was 65.

John Beam Last Chance U Coach
Photo via NBC

The Incident

Police said the shooting happened late Thursday morning inside the Laney College fieldhouse in Oakland. Paramedics rushed Beam to Highland Hospital, where he died early Friday. Authorities arrested 34-year-old Cedric Irving Jr. later that day. Investigators believe the attack targeted Beam, though they have not confirmed a motive.

Laney College went into lockdown for several hours after the shooting. The school canceled classes for the rest of the day and reopened Friday morning.

Reactions and Community Impact

News of Beam’s death shook Oakland’s sports community. “Coach Beam wasn’t just a coach—he built young men and inspired generations,” said Laney College president Rudy Besikof.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee called Beam “a giant in our city.” Former players gathered at the school’s football field for a candlelight vigil, remembering him as both strict and caring. Many said he demanded excellence but always led with compassion.

Beam’s Coaching Legacy

Beam spent more than four decades shaping athletes in Oakland, first at Skyline High School and later at Laney College. He led Laney to two league titles and the 2018 state championship—featured in Last Chance U’s fifth season. His direct, motivational style made him both respected and admired.

After retiring from coaching in 2024, Beam continued guiding Laney’s sports programs as athletic director. He pushed students to excel in the classroom as well as on the field.

Remembering a Mentor

Earlier this week, a separate shooting injured a student at Skyline High School, but police say the two cases are unrelated.

Beam’s legacy goes beyond wins and titles. Thousands of former athletes credit him for changing their lives through discipline, honesty, and belief in second chances. His influence will endure on every field where his players continue his work.

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Daniel Choi

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