Tulsa’s head football coach Tre Lamb has announced plans to remember the wife of one of the team’s assistant coaches, who had a notable career as a Division I soccer player. This comes after her sudden passing last week.
Kayla Saager-Beckley, a former standout at Binghamton University and recently married to Tulane’s outside linebackers coach John Beckley, passed away unexpectedly last Wednesday at the age of 30.
According to Lamb, Saager-Beckley was pregnant at the time of her death, which occurred around 7 a.m.
“She was working out, and then just ten minutes later she was found unresponsive,” Lamb shared during a press conference on Monday.
“It’s been an incredibly challenging week for him, for our coaching staff, and the wives of our coaches. She was only 30, pregnant with their daughter, Sawyer. It’s really hit our staff hard. We held a memorial for her last night. We ask that everyone keeps the Saager and Beckley families in their thoughts and prayers. We plan to honor her with a helmet sticker during this week’s game; she’s definitely been in our hearts.”
Binghamton University announced Saager-Beckley’s passing last Thursday in a statement, although they did not specify the cause of death.
Originally from East Islip, Saager-Beckley scored 22 goals over her two seasons at Binghamton, where she was seen as “one of the most feared strikers” to wear the Bearcats jersey.
She captained the team during her collegiate career, graduating in 2019 and earning recognition as a two-time all-region player and the 2017 America East Striker of the Year.
“Binghamton women’s soccer is deeply saddened by Kayla Saager-Beckley’s death,” head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said in a statement. “Kayla was an exceptional forward with a talent for scoring, and her impact significantly enhanced our program. Even today, we know we stand on her achievements. She was also beloved for her generous spirit and devotion to family. We are heartbroken and extend our deepest sympathy to her parents, Ron and Noranne, and her husband, John. Kayla, you will always be a Bearcat. Rest in peace.”
Saager-Beckley played professionally in the Czech Republic before returning to the U.S. to work as an assistant coach at Troy University in Alabama for four years.
Recently, she had begun focusing on college soccer scouting and recruiting. She moved to Tulsa with Beckley, who became part of the coaching staff in 2025.
Last weekend, Tulsa secured a victory against Sam Houston, bringing their record to 2-0.
