Cal State East Bay mourns the passing of John Beam, a beloved alumnus of Cal State Hayward and one of the most influential football coaches and mentors in California history. Beam, whose life and career spanned more than four decades, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy defined by leadership, service, and an unwavering commitment to helping young people succeed.
 
A 1982 graduate of Cal State Hayward, Beam carried the lessons and values he gained as a Pioneer into a coaching career that transformed communities and elevated countless student-athletes. His name became synonymous with excellence in Northern California football, from shaping powerhouse rosters at Oakland's Skyline High School to leading Laney College to national prominence.
 
Beam first made his mark at Skyline High School, where he built one of the Bay Area's most respected public-school football programs. Under his leadership, the Titans captured 15 league championships, sent dozens of players on to Division I programs, and established a standard of development grounded in discipline, academics, and personal growth. Beam's impact extended far beyond wins and titles; he was widely admired for uplifting young people, believing in their potential, and giving them the tools to succeed on and off the field.
 
His influence only grew at Laney College, where he became Athletic Director and his visionary leadership culminated in the Eagles' historic 2018 CCCFA State Championship and NJCAA National Championship. Beam's ability to mold under-recruited, overlooked athletes into one of the most complete junior college teams in the country drew national attention, ultimately becoming the focus of Netflix's fifth season of Last Chance U. Through the series, viewers around the world saw the heart of Beam's coaching philosophy: opportunity, accountability, compassion, and belief in every student-athlete who walked through Laney's doors.

"John Beam's impact on Oakland, and beyond, cannot be overstated."  Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Allison Kern said.  "You would be hard pressed to find a space in Bay Area athletics that doesn't have his finger print on it. Coach Beam was a constant resource, a collaborator, and someone who was always looking to find new ways to support student-athletes off the field. He truly represented what it means to be a Pioneer."
 
Though Beam is no longer with us, his influence remains deeply woven into the fabric of Bay Area athletics. He leaves behind a legacy built on opportunity, service, and the belief that greatness is found not only in championships but in the lives changed along the way.
 
Cal State East Bay honors the life of John Beam; a Pioneer, a leader, a trailblazer, and a mentor.