JFK Students Remember Beloved Coach, John Webb, Killed in Crash

A beloved high school football coach in the East Bay was killed over the weekend in a crash on Interstate 680 near Fremont.

The California Highway Patrol says 76-year-old John Webb on Saturday morning hit a stalled van and reportedly got out of his car to help direct traffic.

That's when the CHP said another car struck and killed him.

Webb was heading home to Brentwood after a triple overtime game between his alma mater: San Jose State and Navy.

The SJSU alum taught at John F. Kennedy High School even after retiring three years ago from coaching and being athletic director.

The flag on campus is being flown at half staff for Webb, who people said was not just a coach or teacher, but an institution on campus.

"He loved the kids, he loved his job," said Anthony Stalkfleet, a Kennedy High football player. "He loved everyone here."

Webb spent nearly 30 years working at the Fremont campus.

"Anything the school needed him to do--he was activities adviser director for many years," JFK High School Football Coach David Damewood said. "He was athletic director, taught several subjects, P.E. to woodshop to Math, whatever they needed him to do."

His colleagues said he had opportunities to coach in the NFL, including an offer to work under 49ers coach, and his personal friend, Bill Walsh, but his focus was on high school kids.

Colleagues said he wanted them all to succeed beyond the football field.

"John was the kind of guy if he’s walking around on campus and he sees you sitting there eating lunch by yourself, male, female, he’s going to sit down and start talking to you," former JFK High School Football Coach Peter Michaelitos said. "What are you doing? Why are you by yourself? That kind of thing."

A vigil in his honor is planned for Tuesday night at 6 p.m. outside of John F. Kennedy High School, where students have already set up a growing memorial.

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