Renowned Football Coach John Beam Killed in Oakland Shooting

On November 10th, 2025, the Oakland community was shaken by the tragic shooting death of former American football coach John Beam. Beam, who was 66 years old, was the athletics director at Laney College in Oakland, California, at the time of the incident.

The shooting took place on the Laney College campus on Thursday, November 9th. Police were quickly on the scene and announced the arrest of a suspect the following day, though they did not provide any details on the motive for the attack. The suspect was identified as Cedric Irving Jr., who was not a former player of Beam's.

Beam was well-known in the football community, having been featured in the popular Netflix series Last Chance U, which documented his work with underprivileged student-athletes. Tributes have been pouring in for the beloved coach, including from the mayor of Oakland and several professional NFL players whom Beam had trained over the years.

The loss of John Beam has left a profound impact on the Laney College community and the broader world of American football. His dedication to mentoring young athletes and his positive influence will be deeply missed.