For nearly fifty years, beloved coach John Beam helped his students turn their lives around. A sunshine presence across the Oakland campus, he brought life to the campus with his larger-than-life persona, greeting everyone with the same warmth and love. Unfortunately, on Friday, the ‘Last Chance U’ Oakland legend bid farewell to his loved ones.

On Thursday afternoon, John Beam was sh-t in broad daylight at his field house on the Laney campus, sending shockwaves through the football community. “We are devastated that John Beam, our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach, mentor, and friend, has passed,” Beam’s family mourns his loss.

Condolences poured in from all across the nation over his sudden demise. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning honored him with a special tribute. “When you see somebody made such an impact on people you know, lose his life and an opportunity that he shouldn’t… shouldn’t have, and I know we don’t know all the details,” he shared.

Lanning further added, “A lot of our coaches, a lot of our staff… the players, recognize the impact that he made and remember him and will always remember him fondly. So hate to see him go and really feeling for him and his family at this time. Our condolences to Coach Beam and his family,” Lanning concluded.

Two days before his unfortunate passing, Coach Beam had stepped up to the podium at the Taco’ Bout Safety event. The main crux of his speech centered around the safety concerns that had been raging on the campus. For a while now, he had become restless with the reduced security protocols. Ever since 2020, the 66-year-old former football coach had been feeling uneasy after the college ended its security contract with the County police. Following this, the campus security had been overlooked by contractors.

So, when the guards started patrolling the campus unarmed in June, it set off alarm bells in Coach Beam’s head. He was worried for his beloved students, whom he had come to know as his family. Unfortunately, little did he know that two days later, after addressing those troubling remarks, he would become a victim of the very alarming concern he had been rallying against.

According to reports, an individual, aware of the shooting, revealed that the suspect had climbed up the stairs at Beam’s house, following which cries of “No” were heard across. He was soon rushed to the hospital, with the Oakland community holding vigils for a miracle. Twenty-four hours later, he lost his life, sending ripples across college football.

So far, officials have identified Cedric Irving Jr. as the suspect, who played football at Skyline High School, where Coach Beam was formerly employed, although their tenure at the Skyline campus did not overlap.

Not just Lanning, many from the College football world mourned the passing away of the legend.

College football remembers beloved John Beam

Over his celebrated tenure, he propelled 100 Division I players to realize their football dreams, while launching 20 players into the pro league. Honoring that legacy, he was featured on Netflix’s ‘Last Chance U,” keeping his legacy alive for the football world to cherish.

It was in 1979 that he began his coaching journey at Sierra High School, switching to Skyline High three years later, and went on to win 15 league championships over the course of his high school coaching tenure. He then transitioned into collegiate coaching and became one of the celebrated coaches in California after winning the California Community College Athletic Association’s Coach of the Year award in 2018. Retiring from coaching, he took on the role of athletic director at Lancey College, remaining close to his students.

“My loyalty is to this community,” he had shared his emotions with the Oaklandside. “They’ve given me more than I’ve ever given them,” Beam said, according to The Oaklandside. “They gave me a place to belong. They gave me a place where I was valued as a human being. Oakland gave that to me, so I want to keep giving to Oakland as much as I can.”His legacy is equally cherished by the community.

Former Oakland Deputy Chief Fredrick Shavies penned an emotional note. “He was a father figure to thousands of not only men but young women in our community,” Shavies said, according to People.  “I know that I am not eloquent enough to put into words the indelible mark that Coach Beam has left on so many, not just in this region but around the state and around the nation.”

A decorated fatherly figure, John Beam, is remembered by his family, fans, and the numerous students whom he helped chase their dreams.