Remembering Coach John Beam

A giant oak in Oakland has fallen.

A giant oak in Oakland has fallen. Coach John Beam touched so many young men and young women’s lives who are a part of his legacy. Coach Beam expected his players to compete on the field and in the classroom. My son Donald Dicko White was one of the Skyline 5 that all got full scholarships to play division 1 football. This was the first in Coach Beam’s coaching career.  

​Coach Beam made getting good grades and staying eligible to play football a team sport. After every report card period, he posted the players' grades on the wall so the whole team could see them.  Peer pressure kept the players eligible to play, but Coach Beam prepared them for life after football.  Coach Beam had his own network of teachers at Skyline working with him to make sure his players were attending class and turning in assignments; Ms. Mayfield stayed on their asses. If you wanted to play on Coach Beam’s team, you had better be in class. If you cut class, he knew it before you could form a lie.     

​My son Donald graduated in four years from Utah State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Information Systems with no student debt thanks to Coach Beam. Donald later joined Coach Beam’s coaching staff at Laney College as the Safeties and Special Teams Coordinator. Donald along with former Skyline players Derrick Gardner, and Kevin Evans were a part of the 2018 CCCAA State Championship coaching staff, and the Laney College staff in the Netflix series Last Chance U.

Derrick Gardner and Donald Dicko White

 My son Hassan, who played for Coach Beam at Skyline, is quick to tell his older brother Donald that he was on the only 12-0 undefeated team at Skyline; the sibling rivalry continues.  

​My daughter Aiesha and Coach Beam’s two daughters, Sonya and Monica, are close like sisters. Coach Beam gave Aiesha the task of decorating his retirement party this past February. I went with Aiesha to help and to document the behind-the-scenes preparations for the celebration. Coach Beam was there; he was hyped, and these are his exact words “I want to start shit”!  He wanted a lively heated debate going all night between his former players about which were the best teams and best players at their positions; it worked.  

​Former players came from across the country to honor their coach. My son Hassan flew in from Orlando, Florida, Jevon came from Atlanta, Georgia. The turnout was huge. Coach Beam got his flowers that day.   

​I am so thankful and blessed for having John Beam, his wife Cindy, and daughters a part of our family. We love you and keep you in our prayers. To the Skyline and Laney football family hold on to what Coach Beam taught you #TitanPride, #LaneyBuilt, #2ClapsReadyReady. 
 - Mama Dicko