John Beam, the beloved athletic director and former head football coach of Laney College, died on Friday, November 14, 2025, after being shot inside the Laney Field House on the college’s downtown Oakland campus. The 64-year-old mentor, whose influence stretched across generations of Bay Area athletes, was pronounced dead at a local hospital around 10 a.m. — just hours after police arrested 27-year-old Cedric Irving Jr. at the San Leandro BART station early that morning. The shooting, which occurred at approximately noon on Thursday, November 13, stunned a community that saw Beam not just as a coach, but as a father figure to hundreds of young men navigating life’s toughest odds.
A Legacy Built on Second Chances
Beam’s career spanned more than four decades, beginning at Skyline High School in Oakland, where he built a powerhouse program with a 160-33-3 record and four undefeated seasons. He moved to Laney College in 2004 as a running backs coach, climbed to offensive coordinator by 2005, and became head coach in 2012. Under his leadership, the Laney College Eagles captured the California Community College Athletic Association championship in 2018, a crowning achievement for a program that rarely made headlines outside the Bay Area.But Beam’s real legacy wasn’t in trophies. It was in the lives he reshaped. His story became nationally known through Netflix’s Last Chance U in 2020, where cameras followed him as he guided troubled teens — many with criminal records or homelessness in their pasts — toward college and, for a lucky few, the NFL. Among them: Nahshon Wright and Rejzohn Wright, twin brothers who both became NFL cornerbacks. They posted a photo on social media just hours after the shooting — a picture Beam had shared four weeks earlier, taken at the October 6, 2025, game where Nahshon’s Chicago Bears faced Rejzohn’s New Orleans Saints. "He was the reason I stayed alive," Rejzohn wrote. "I wouldn’t be here without him."
A Targeted Tragedy
Assistant Chief James Beere of the Oakland Police Department called the shooting "a very targeted incident" during a Friday press conference. "They knew each other," Beere said. "Not close. But the coach was open to helping everybody in our community." The suspect, Cedric Irving Jr., had played football at Skyline High School — though not during Beam’s tenure there. Police confirmed Irving was not previously known to law enforcement, and he was taken into custody without incident.The weapon recovered from Irving matched the caliber of shell casings found at the scene. Surveillance footage, witness statements, and phone records are now being analyzed to determine motive. What’s clear: this wasn’t random. It was personal. And it came just one day after another shooting at Skyline High School, where a student was wounded — another grim chapter in Oakland’s ongoing struggle with violence.
The Community Mourns
Piedmont Police Chief Frederick Shavies, who knew Beam personally, broke down at the podium. "He was an absolutely incredible human being," Shavies said. "Our hearts are aching."Former players flooded social media with memories. One wrote about how Beam paid for his bus fare to get to practice when he had no money. Another recalled how Beam showed up at his mother’s funeral — even though they hadn’t spoken in months. "He didn’t just coach football," said one alum. "He coached survival."
The Peralta Community College District, which oversees Laney College, confirmed Beam had been transported to the hospital immediately after the shooting. His condition was never publicly updated — until his death was officially announced by Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell on Friday.
What Comes Next?
Laney College has canceled all athletic events through next week. A memorial service is being planned for next Friday at the campus stadium. The college is also setting up a scholarship fund in Beam’s name, with initial donations already pouring in from former players, local businesses, and even NFL teams.As investigators dig deeper, questions remain: Why now? Why him? Was this retaliation? A dispute over past mentorship? The answers may never be fully known. But what’s certain is that Oakland lost more than a coach. It lost one of its most consistent lights in a city too often defined by its darkness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did John Beam impact players beyond football?
Beam didn’t just teach plays — he taught life skills. Many of his players came from broken homes or had run-ins with the law. He provided meals, transportation, and emotional support. In Last Chance U, he was shown helping students enroll in college courses, attend therapy, and reconnect with families. Over 70% of his players at Laney College graduated — far above the national average for junior college athletes.
Why was Cedric Irving Jr. arrested at the San Leandro BART station?
Alameda County sheriff’s deputies spotted Irving matching the suspect’s description near the San Leandro BART station early Friday morning. He was not resisting or fleeing — he was simply waiting for a train. Police confirmed he had no prior criminal record and wasn’t carrying any other weapons. The arrest was peaceful, and he is currently being held without bail while investigators build their case.
What’s the connection between this shooting and the Skyline High School incident the day before?
While both occurred within 24 hours and involved Oakland schools, police say there’s no evidence linking the two. The Skyline High shooting involved a student altercation with two minors arrested; Beam’s shooting was a targeted act between two adults who knew each other. Still, the timing has deepened community trauma — especially since Beam coached at Skyline for nearly 20 years before moving to Laney.
Will Laney College continue its football program?
Yes. The Peralta Community College District has confirmed the program will continue, though interim leadership is being named. Assistant coaches from Beam’s staff are expected to take over for the 2026 season. Many former players have pledged to return as mentors. The team’s first home game next season will honor Beam with a moment of silence and a jersey retirement ceremony.
What role did Netflix’s 'Last Chance U' play in Beam’s legacy?
The 2020 season of Last Chance U brought national attention to Beam’s work, highlighting his unconventional methods and deep empathy. It didn’t just make him famous — it gave visibility to the entire junior college system. After the show aired, applications to Laney’s football program increased by 40%. The series also helped raise over $200,000 in donations for student-athlete support funds — money Beam used to pay for textbooks, groceries, and even rent for players in crisis.
How is the community responding to the loss?
Flowers, jerseys, and handwritten notes have piled up outside the Laney Field House. Local churches are holding vigils. The Oakland Unified School District has ordered counselors to be available at all schools. Even the Golden State Warriors tweeted a tribute, calling Beam "a pillar of Oakland." His name is now being considered for a street renaming near the campus — a quiet, lasting honor for a man who never sought one.