John Beam
John Edward Beam was an American football coach and faculty athletics director. He served as the head football coach at Laney College in Oakland, California, from 2012 to 2024. Beam starred in the fifth season of the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U, which was released in 2020. Away from the playing field, Beam was a beloved figure in the Oakland area and served as a mentor to thousands of youth. More than 30 of his former student athletes played in the National Football League.
Early life and education
Beam was born in San Diego, California, on January 11, 1959, to a white American father and Korean mother. His parents met when Beam's father, who was a member of the United States Navy, was stationed in South Korea. Neither of his parents graduated from high school.Beam went to preschool in Japan before the family moved back to San Diego. He played varsity football at Kearny High School in 1975 and 1976 and at San Diego Mesa College in 1977 and 1978. Following his wife, Cindi, to the San Francisco Bay Area for school, Beam transferred to Cal State East Bay where he earned a bachelor's degree.
Career
High school coaching
Beam began his coaching career in 1979 as an offensive line coach at Serra High School in San Diego. In 1982, Beam took the defensive coordinator position at Skyline High School in Oakland. He became the head football coach at Skyline High School in 1987, where he led the Titans to a 160–33–3 record, 15 Oakland Athletic League championships, and 11 Oakland Section titles. The Titans also had four undefeated seasons under Beam's leadership. In 1997, he was named the California State Coach of the Year.Over 100 students went on to play Division 1 football under Beam's leadership and guidance.
Laney College (2004–2025)
Beam joined the Laney College football program in 2004 as the running backs coach and became the offensive coordinator in 2005. He became the head coach in 2012 and led the Eagles to a California Community College Athletic Association championship in 2018. He also was named the CCCAA Coach of the Year in 2018. Throughout Beam's tenure, Laney had.600 winning percentage and participated in four bowl games. Over 90% of Beam's players graduated or transferred to four-year schools, including several who played in the NFL.In 2020, Laney College was featured in the Netflix series Last Chance U, which followed the 2019 football season.
Beam retired from coaching in 2024 but stayed on as the athletics director.
Personal life
Beam was a notable figure in the Oakland area, known for his bushy mustache and for mentoring local youth. He typically ended speeches with his trademark sign off, "Two claps, ready, ready." Beam was inducted into the Kearny High School athletics hall of fame.Beam met his wife, Cynthia "Cindi" Rivera, when she was a student at University of California, San Diego. The couple had two daughters, Monica and Sonjha.