Who is John Beam? Netflix ‘Last Chance U’ star and former football coach shot on campus

Laney College in Oakland, California, was shaken Thursday when longtime athletic director John Beam was shot on campus, officials confirmed. The incident occurred at the Laney Fieldhouse, a facility housing the college’s athletic offices and training spaces.

Authorities say the assailant remains at large, and Beam’s current condition has not been disclosed. The shooting prompted an immediate lockdown of the campus, which was lifted later in the day.Beam is widely recognized not only for his decades-long coaching career but also for his appearance on Netflix’s critically acclaimed series “Last Chance U,” which highlighted the struggles and triumphs of Laney College football players.

The news has reverberated across the East Bay and beyond, as former players, colleagues, and fans expressed shock and concern over the attack.

What happened to John Beam?

According to the Oakland Police Department, the suspect is described as a male wearing dark clothing and a black hoodie. Police were called just before noon after shots were fired inside the Fieldhouse, located on the 900 block of Fallon Street. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and seeking public assistance to locate the individual.

Peralta Community College District board president Louis Quindlen called the event “horrifying” and emphasized that no school should face such violence.

This marks the second shooting on an Oakland school campus in just two days, following a separate incident at Skyline High School on Wednesday. Authorities canceled in-person classes at Laney College, though online instruction continued as scheduled.

John Beam is a Bay Area coaching legend and Netflix star

Beam, 66, has spent more than four decades shaping young athletes into leaders.

He began his career at Serra High School in San Diego in 1979 before moving to the Bay Area. At Skyline High School, Beam won 15 league championships, 11 section titles, and guided more than 100 players to Division I programs. In 1997, he was named California State Coach of the Year.At Laney College, Beam transitioned to the college level as running backs coach in 2004 and later became offensive coordinator. In 2012, he assumed the role of head coach, leading the Eagles to two league championships, four bowl appearances, and recognition as California Community College Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 2018.

His mentorship has produced over 20 NFL players, seven of whom appeared in the Super Bowl.Beam’s work was spotlighted on Netflix’s “Last Chance U” in 2020. He has been praised for helping players succeed academically, athletically, and personally. Defensive backs coach Maamaloa Mafi, who played under Beam, recalled, “He had a good hand in helping us get recruited, helping us with our grades and helping us get these degrees.”Now, Laney College and the community continue to rally around Beam as authorities investigate the shooting.Also Read: “She’s a legend” – Joe Rogan explains curious case of Ronda Rousey’s UFC rise and downfall