At a Glance
- John Beam, 66, was shot at Laney College on Nov. 13 and died the next day
- 45-year coaching career in Oakland included Skyline High and Laney College
- 90% of Laney players graduated or transferred under his leadership
- Why it matters: His mentorship changed thousands of lives and redefined community impact
Oakland filled the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts on Saturday to celebrate John Beam, the city’s most accomplished football coach, whose 45-year career ended in tragedy when he was shot at Laney College in November.
A Coach Who Changed Generations
The 66-year-old mentor spent 45 years transforming Oakland youth through football, first at Skyline High School from 1982 to 2004, then at Laney College from 2004 until his retirement in 2024. Though he stepped down from coaching, Beam remained at Laney College until his death.
His impact extended far beyond wins and losses. Under Beam’s guidance, 90% of Laney College football players graduated or transferred to four-year colleges, according to Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, who spoke at the celebration.
“For 45 years, Coach Beam poured everything he had into Oakland, not because it was easy, not because it paid the most, not because this was his home, but because we were his people,” Lee told the packed auditorium.
Family Stories of a Football Life
Beam’s daughters, Sonjha Phillips and Monica Beam, shared intimate memories of growing up with a coach who lived and breathed football.
“I was born in the middle of football season, and if you ask my dad, that was no coincidence,” Phillips said, describing her father as a “protector” of both family and athletes.
The celebration, held just outside Laney College where Beam spent his final coaching years, drew community members, local leaders, and athletes spanning multiple generations. While several smaller memorials had occurred in recent weeks, this marked the largest gathering, including Beam’s family and closest friends.
Athletes Remember Life Lessons
Professional athletes joined the crowd to honor Beam’s influence, including retired NFL player Marshawn Lynch, NBA star Damian Lillard, and NFL player Rezjohn Wright.
Joe Cannon, pastor at Gospel Community Church and Beam’s former player at Skyline from 1993 to 1997, recalled the coach’s signature phrase: “‘I believe in you so that you can believe in yourself’ is what he would say, and now thousands believe in themselves today.”
Current and former players shared how Beam transformed mistakes into learning opportunities. Michael Zapata, who played on Beam’s final Laney College team, remembered when he faced suspension but Beam showed mercy instead.
“[Coach] Beam was supposed to suspend me, and he showed me mercy at the time, and he took care of me without a doubt,” Zapata said. “That’s something that no one can deny, he took care of you.”
A Father Figure to Thousands
The impact Beam had on individual players reflected his broader community influence. Elijah Jackson, who played under Beam in 2024, described the coach’s personal approach.
“Before every game, he used to talk to each player individually, and I feel like as a player, that really helps you gain confidence in who you really want to be,” Jackson said.
Rigo Zapien, who played at Laney in 2018 and 2019, called Beam “a father figure to everybody.” The sudden loss shocked many who saw him as a constant in Oakland’s athletic community.
“It’s a shock that we lost him so quickly and so unfortunately,” Zapien said.
Community Impact Beyond Football
Beam’s mentorship reached beyond football players. Feke Lauti, a 1997 Skyline graduate who never played the sport, met Beam through his older brothers who were on the football team.
When Lauti’s father passed away, Beam attended the funeral and later helped him secure his current position at Laney College.
“I know that there’s been a lot of challenges in our city, but there’s still a lot of good, and John Beam brought a lot of that goodness out of community members, especially through young people and the rising generation,” Lauti said.
Continuing the Legacy
To ensure Beam’s community work continues, his family established Coach Beam’s Legacy Foundation. The organization aims to carry forward his mission of supporting Oakland youth through education and athletics.
U.S. Representative Lateefah Simon joined Mayor Lee among the local leaders paying tribute. Lee noted that her nephew was among the thousands of Oakland youth Beam mentored throughout his career.
“This is generations changed, families lifted, futures unlocked,” Lee said of Beam’s lasting impact on the community.
The celebration drew attendees who traveled from across the region, demonstrating how Beam’s influence extended throughout the Bay Area and beyond. His San Diego roots brought him to Oakland in 1982, where he built a legacy that transformed countless lives through dedication to both athletics and education.
Key Takeaways:
- John Beam’s 45-year coaching career in Oakland produced thousands of success stories
- His 90% graduation/transfer rate at Laney College demonstrated academic commitment
- The Coach Beam Legacy Foundation will continue his community work
- Professional athletes and community members united to honor his impact
