Read on cbsnews.comJohn Beam, Laney College Athletic Director and 'Last Chance U' Coach, Dies After Campus Shooting
John Beam, the Laney College athletic director and football coach featured on Netflix's 'Last Chance U,' has died one day after being shot on the Oakland campus. The 66-year-old coach, known for mentoring thousands of young athletes and helping over 90% of his players graduate or transfer to four-year schools, was remembered as a father figure to the community. Police have arrested 27-year-old Cedric Irving Jr. in connection with the targeted shooting, describing the incident as a targeted attack on the beloved coach who dedicated his life to helping Oakland's youth.
The Oakland community is mourning the tragic loss of John Beam, the Laney College athletic director and football coach who gained national recognition through Netflix's "Last Chance U" documentary series. Beam died Friday morning, one day after being shot on the college campus in what police describe as a targeted incident.
A Life Dedicated to Mentoring Youth
John Beam, 66, spent decades coaching and mentoring young athletes in Oakland, leaving an indelible mark on thousands of lives. Before his tenure at Laney College, Beam served as the longtime head football coach for Oakland's Skyline High School, where he led the Titans to 15 league championships and four undefeated seasons. His coaching philosophy extended far beyond the football field, focusing on character development and academic success.
The Tragic Incident
According to Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell, Beam was shot on the Laney College campus and succumbed to his injuries Friday morning. Hours before announcing Beam's death, police confirmed they had made an arrest in connection with the shooting. The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Cedric Irving Jr., who was located by Alameda County Sheriff's deputies at the San Leandro BART station around 3:15 a.m. on Friday.
Targeted Attack Details
Assistant Police Chief James Beere provided crucial details about the investigation during a press conference, describing the incident as "a very targeted incident." Beere confirmed that the suspect knew Beam but did not have a close relationship with the coach. "Coach Beam, although they did not have a close relationship, was open to helping everybody in our community," Beere explained. "And this is not uncommon for him to have a relationship with someone that he would think needs help."
Police recovered a privately-manufactured "ghost gun" believed to be the weapon used in the shooting. Beere noted that the suspect, who was not a Laney student, was known to have loitered on or around the campus and had once played high school football in Oakland, though not for a team coached by Beam.
Community Outpouring and Legacy
The news of Beam's death prompted an immediate and heartfelt response from the Oakland community and beyond. Beam's family released a statement describing him as "our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach, mentor and friend." Piedmont Police Chief Frederick Shavies, who knew Beam since eighth grade, emphasized that "John was so much more than a coach. He was a father figure to thousands of not only men, but young women, in our community."
Beam's impact extended nationally through his feature in the fifth season of Netflix's "Last Chance U," which followed the Laney College Eagles during the 2019 season. The series highlighted Beam's remarkable ability to transform young athletes' lives, with his program achieving over 90% graduation or transfer rates to four-year schools among his players.
Among the estimated 2,500 players Beam coached throughout his career are multiple NFL players, including Super Bowl champions and Pro Bowlers C.J. Anderson and Marvel Smith. Current Chicago Bears player Nahshon Wright and New Orleans Saints player Rejzhon Wright both paid tribute to Beam on social media, with Rejzhon writing, "You mean the world to me," followed by a broken heart emoji.
Political and Community Response
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-Oakland) both issued statements mourning Beam's death and highlighting his profound community impact. Mayor Lee noted that "Coach Beam's legacy isn't measured in championships or statistics, even though they are great. It's measured in the thousands of young people he believed in, mentored and refused to abandon."
Rep. Simon called the death "a deep loss for Oakland" and emphasized that "his impact reached far beyond sports. He gave young people confidence, structure, and a place to stand. Families trusted him because he showed up with discipline, care and a belief that every young person carried promise." Simon also addressed the broader issue of gun violence, stating, "We cannot accept this as our future. We owe our people safety and a collective commitment to stop this harm."
The investigation continues as the community remembers a man whose life was defined by his commitment to helping others and building better futures for Oakland's youth.
