John Beam was a longtime American football coach who made a long mark in the lives of high school and junior college football programs, most notably at Laney College in Oakland, California. Beam was a coach of a strict training program, a person with a strong belief in the development of athletes, and a transformative leader. He even made it to national prominence due to the success of the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U. John lost the battle of life after being shot a day before yesterday at the age of 66.
John Beam Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | John Beam |
| Birth Date: | 1950s |
| Died: | November 14, 2025 |
| Aged | 66 Years |
| Native: | San Diego, California, USA |
| Height: | – |
| Wife: | Cindi Beam |
Early Life
John Beam was born in the late 1950s and grew up in Los Angeles, California, in a community where sports featured prominently in nurturing youth. He had been brought into contact with athletics at an early age and became a lifelong lover of football, teamwork, and leadership.
Beam studied at California State University, Long Beach, where he graduated with a degree and gained a good background in sports education and coaching methodology. His own upbringing, coupled with his background in the academic field, influenced his philosophy of discipline, mentoring, and giving opportunities to underserved students that would become the defining characteristic of his coaching career.
John Beam Career
John Beam built a strong football career that lasted more than 40 years and influenced generations of athletes. He began shaping his legacy at Skyline High School in Oakland, where he spent 22 years coaching and earned a reputation as one of California’s top high school coaches.
Skyline collected many league and section titles during his time, and countless players earned college scholarships because of his guidance. Beam later joined Laney College in 2004 as a running backs coach and offensive coordinator, then stepped into the head coach role in 2012.
He pushed the program to national success and reached a major milestone in 2018 when Laney won the CCCAA State Championship and finished as the top junior college team in the country. His work also helped hundreds of students reach four-year colleges by supporting them through academic and personal challenges.
Netflix Documentary
Netflix featured his coaching style and leadership in 2020 during Last Chance U: Season 5, which showed his tough love and loyalty to Oakland’s youth. Beam also served as Laney’s athletic director, where he guided several sports programs and helped strengthen the school’s athletic future. His passing in 2025 ended a remarkable life devoted to teaching, mentoring, and building opportunities for young athletes.
Personal Life
John Beam shared a long and steady marriage with his wife, Cindi Beam, who worked as a therapist. They raised two daughters, Monica and Sonjha, and later welcomed two granddaughters into their family. Cindi often stood by his side at public events, and Beam frequently spoke with pride about his home life. Their family described him as a devoted husband who stayed deeply connected to the people he loved.
Death
John Beam died on November 14, 2025, after being shot at Laney College in Oakland. Police called the attack targeted, and later arrested Cedric Irving Jr., who knew him. Friends and former players shared how Beam guided many young athletes and pushed them to stay focused on school and sports. His work at Laney and Skyline High shaped countless lives in his community. Many people still honor his impact and remember his leadership.
Social Media
John Beam is on Instagram with the profile name @coachjohnbeam and has more than 17.3K followers. His social media is mainly full of inspirational posts, football success, community activities, and the exploits of current and former Laney athletes. Although he is not as active as a public figure, his account is a motivational source to the players and fans who cherish his disciplined and personal development.
John Beam Net Worth
The net worth of John Beam is not disclosed publicly in any official or audited records. However, sources with good reputations estimate that his net worth lies between $1 million and $3 million, according to his long career working at Laney College as a senior education administrator and head football coach, as well as his tenure as a former athletic director. Most of his income is attributed to decades of coaching, administration, involvement in national sport programs, and his appearance on Last Chance U.