‘Last Chance U’ Coach Johnโ Beam Dies After โฃShootingโ at Laney College
OAKLAND, โขCA – John โคBeam, the footballโค coach featured โon the Netflix docuseries “Last Chanceโค U” and โa belovedโค figure in the Oakland athletic community, has died following a shooting on the Laney Collegeโ campus on โฃNovember 29, 2023. He was 61 years old.โค
beam was shot on wednesday afternoon โandโฃ had been hospitalized in critical condition. News of his death prompted an outpouring of grief from former players, colleagues, and local leaders. He served as athletic director โatโ Laney College and previously coached atโข Skyline High School.
Beam joined Laney College inโ 2004 as a running backs coach,becoming head coach โin 2012. During his tenure, he led theโ team to two league titles and helped 20 โplayers โadvanceโฃ to the NFL, including current Chicago Bears player Nahshon Wright and Newโฃ Orleans Saints โคplayer Rejzohn Wright.
“John was so much more than a coach,” said Piedmont Police Chief Fred Shavies,โฃ aโข former mentee of Beam’s.โ “he was a fatherโฃ figureโ to thousands of โnot only men โขbut โคyoung women in our community.” Shavies, โwho previously served as a deputy chief in the Oakland Police Department, recalled meeting Beam inโฃ eighth grade and receiving his support after theโ loss of his ownโค father. “He was an absolutely unbelievable human being.”
The shooting โขoccurred a day after a student wasโ shot atโ Oakland’s Skyline High School, where Beam had previously worked. Authorities have stated the suspect in the Laney College shooting had attendedโ Skyline High School, but after Beam had left for laney College.
Mayor barbara Lee described beam as a “giant” and a mentor. “For over 40 โyears, he has shaped leaders on andโ off the field, and our community is โshaken alongside his family,”โฃ Lee said.โ
The familyโค has requested privacy,stating,”Our heartsโฃ are full fromโ the outpouring of love.”
Peralta Community College District spokesperson Mark Johnson โฃsaid the community was “devastated” and “heartbroken” โby theโข violence.