The coach was at home, settling in to watch a movie, when he grabbed for his buzzing phone. A text message appeared: Aaron Pryor, a star running back for Skyline High School, had been shot dead 100 yards from his home in East Oakland.

Joe Bates, head coach of the Titans, had been here before. In 2017, his assistant coach was shot and killed in San Francisco after he confronted two men who were harassing his female friends. Months later, a wide receiver was gunned down during an argument in West Oakland.

Bates grew up in the flatlands of East Oakland. He knew all too well the grim ritual of caution tape, candlelight vigils, thoughts and prayers.