John Beam, the Laney College athletic director and former football coach known for his role in the Netflix series “Last Chance U,” was shot Thursday inside the campus fieldhouse at the Oakland college, sources told both the San Francisco Chronicle and the Bay Area’s ABC7.
Beam was taken to a hospital, though his condition was not released, according to the news outlets.
The shooting prompted Laney College in Oakland to lock down the campus after reports of an active shooter.
The Peralta Community College District, which includes Laney College, posted on X on Thursday afternoon, “IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 1) There was a shooting at the Laney College Fieldhouse on November 13, 2025 2) Laney College campus WAS LOCKED DOWN 3) OPD has determined there is NO LONGER AN ACTIVE THREAT 4) LOCKDOWN HAS BEEN LIFTED 5) Laney College is Closed for the Day”
Newsweek has reached out to Laney College athletics via email on Thursday night for comment.
When Did Netflix’s ‘Last Chance U’ Premiere?
Netflix’s “Last Chance U” premiered in July 2016, launching what would become one of the streaming service’s most acclaimed sports documentary series. The show’s first two seasons focused on East Mississippi Community College before later installments moved to Independence Community College in Kansas and eventually Laney College in Oakland. Over its multi-season run, the series built a devoted following for its raw look at junior college football and the players and coaches fighting for a path to the next level.
What Is ‘Last Chance U’ About?
“Last Chance” U follows junior college football programs that serve as a final stop for talented athletes who have been derailed by academic issues, personal struggles or past disciplinary problems. The series blends on-field drama with intimate profiles of players trying to rebuild their futures and coaches juggling limited resources, high pressure and often chaotic locker rooms. Its unfiltered portrayal of second chances and the emotional toll of chasing a dream earned praise from critics and viewers alike.
Shooting on Oakland’s Laney College Campus: Everything We Know
Laney College in Oakland went into lockdown Thursday after reports of an active shooter inside the campus fieldhouse, school officials said. Emergency alerts were sent to students and staff as police and firefighters responded, and one man was taken to a hospital following the shooting. Authorities have not released details about a suspect or motive, and the condition of the victim has not been disclosed. The investigation remains active, and the campus was secured shortly after the incident.
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Who Is Laney College Athletic Director John Beam?
Beam, 67, is the longtime athletic director and former head football coach at Laney College, widely known for his appearance in the final season of Netflix’s Last Chance U. A fixture in Bay Area football, Beam has spent decades developing local talent and turning Laney into a respected junior college program. He is regarded as a tough, outspoken mentor who emphasizes academics and discipline as much as on-field success.
As a coach at Laney and Skyline High School in Oakland, Beam has produced over 20 NFL players, including seven players who played in the Super Bowl, according to ABC7
Beam was identified by multiple local news sources as the victim in Thursday’s campus shooting, though officials have not released his condition.
Updates: 11/13/25, 5:20 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
Updates: 11/13/25, 6:54 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.