John Beam — the longtime football coach best known for his role in the Netflix docuseries Last Chance U — has died one day after he was shot at Laney College in Oakland, California, where he most recently worked as athletic director.
According to a report from NBC Bay Area, Beam died on Friday, Nov. 14, after being shot in the head on Thursday, Nov. 13, while on the college campus.
Authorities confirmed that a suspect was taken into custody just hours before Beam’s death. Cedric Irving Jr. was later identified as the individual arrested in connection with the shooting, according to reports from the San Francisco Chronicle, The Press Democrat and KTVU.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee acknowledged Beam’s legacy shortly after the incident, noting his decades of mentorship. “Coach Beam is a giant in Oakland — a mentor, an educator and a lifeline for thousands of young people,” she said in a statement. “For over 40 years, he has shaped leaders on and off the field, and our community is shaken alongside his family.”
Beam led the Laney College football program when it was featured on the 2020 season of the Netflix series, which highlighted the challenges and determination of community college athletes. He retired from coaching in 2024 but continued as the school’s athletic director. His career began at Skyline High School in Oakland before he transitioned to the college level, per KPIX.
Following the shooting, police said the incident appeared isolated and confirmed there was no ongoing threat. “Laney College was under active lockdown as law enforcement authorities secured the campus and investigated the situation,” the Peralta Community College District said, adding that the lockdown was lifted after police confirmed campus safety.
The Chronicle reported that Irving’s brother said the suspect had played sports at Skyline High School, though not during the years Beam coached there. The Press Democrat, citing police, also reported that Irving claimed he knew Beam, though the nature of their connection remains unclear.
