Last Chance U Coach John Beam Dead After On-Campus Shooting

John Beam, a college athletic director featured in Netflix's "Last Chance U" reality series, died Friday after being shot Thursday on the campus of Laney College in Oakland, Calif., police said. He was 66.

Beam was a football coach for more than 40 years, ABC News reports; he played a large role in Season 5 of "Last Chance U." Per Netflix's official season synopsis: "After clinching the title of state and national champions in 2018, the Laney Eagles have a hard season to follow and a lot to prove. Going into his eighth season and having built the program from the ground up, powerhouse head coach John Beam must fight to rally the team amidst countless setbacks. Season 5 brings intensity both on and off the field as players battle injuries, stress, and personal demons while finding much needed support in the community and taking pride in their scrappy mentality and motto 'Laney Built.'"

Beam was shot in the school's fieldhouse around noon on Thursday. Police have a suspect in custody.

"We are devastated that John Beam, our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach, mentor and friend, has passed," Beam's family said in a statement read by police at a news conference, Variety reports. "Our hearts are full from the outpouring of love and support from all who cared about him. We are deeply grateful for your continued prayers, well wishes and thoughts. At this time, we kindly ask everyone to fully respect our family's privacy."

New seasons of "Last Chance U" streamed on Netflix from 2016-2020. Seasons 1 and 2 were set at East Mississippi Community College; Seasons 3 and 4 focused on the football program at Independence Community College in Kansas. 

TVLine has reached out to Netflix for comment.