Sacramento-area coaches speak on impact of John Beam after he was shot, killed at Laney College
The death of John Beam, a football coach rooted in Oakland for decades, has sent shockwaves across the Northern California sports community. Beam was shot at Laney College on Thursday, where he was head football coach for 12 years before taking over as athletic director in 2024. He died in the hospital on Friday morning, according to the Oakland Police Department. (Video player above: Investigators says Coach Beam knew the man suspected of killing him)Beam began his coaching career in 1979 as an offensive line coach for Serra High School and later moved to Oakland in 1982 to be the defensive coordinator for Skyline High School. Skyline boasted an undefeated season in 1984 with Beam on the staff. In 1987 he was promoted to head football coach. In his time as head coach at Skyline, Beam's record was 160-33-3, including four undefeated seasons. According to Laney College's athletics page, Beam produced more than 100 Division 1 football players in his time as a high school coach, more than anyone else in that time span. He also produced over 20 NFL players between his time at Laney and Skyline. Laney College won a state championship under Beam's leadership in 2018. Beyond his coaching accolades, Beam left a lasting impact on generations of athletes, other coaches and youth in Oakland. His mentorship was on display in the Netflix documentary series "Last Chance U" in 2020.Multiple coaches in the Sacramento area provided statements to KCRA 3 Michelle Dapper regarding Beam's passing. Read them below. American River College Head Football Coach Jon Osterhout {I] coached against him several times in playoff football and during the Last Chance U season. An excellent coach and an authentic leader of young men. Active in the football coaches association, a true beacon for the Oakland community, and a huge personality with that signature mustache.Absolutely terrible and saddening for his family & the community.Sacramento City College Head Football Coach Dannie WalkerToday is a truly sad day for his family, Oakland and for the entire community college football world. We’ve lost a real one. He was a genuine man/mentor who always wanted the best for everyone. He helped countless people find success in life and was someone I could talk to about anything.The last time we spoke, he was excited about retirement and proud to be spending more quality time with his family, especially his grandkids! It devastates me to know they’re now facing such a painful void.I deeply appreciate and love who he was and what he meant to so many people and to the city of Oakland. I will continue to keep the Beam Family, Laney Football, and the Oakland community in my thoughts and prayers.Sierra College Head Football Coach Ben NoonanI did know him well.We coached against each other in back to back Bowl Games in 2019 (Last Chance U Year) & 2021. We served on the NCFCA Competition Committee for 7 years together. He was heavily invested in the 3C2A coaches association on a state level and never misses a meeting. For him to be taken out like this after serving as a beacon of light in the Oakland community for as many years as he did, is truly a tragedy. I can't imagine what his family is going through.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
