The Daily has subsequently learned that Foster was not fired by Northwestern, as had been reported by multiple outlets, including The Daily. He was placed on indefinite suspension and will not coach Northwestern again, according to University President Michael Schill.
Northwestern head baseball coach Jim Foster has been “relieved of his duties.”
The decision comes just days after baseball players called the now-former coach “abusive.” Fifteen players entered the transfer portal during his one-season tenure.
During the 2023 season, the team went 10-40. The team has not lost that many games in program history.
Foster’s departure is the latest for a team that has seen much overturn in recent memory. Foster’s replacement will become the fourth head coach for the team in as many years. The University announced that during the transition, assistant coach Brian Anderson will “take leadership of the program.”
“This has been an ongoing situation and many factors were considered before reaching this resolution,” Combe Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Derrick Gragg wrote in a release. “As the Director of Athletics, I take ownership of our head coaching hires and we will share our next steps as they unfold.”
The University opened an investigation into Foster’s behavior in November 2022, after coaches filed a report to HR. The investigation ended in February 2023, but no sanctions were imposed on the coach at that time.
Pitching coach Jon Strauss, Hitting and Recruiting coordinator Dusty Napoleon, and Director of Operations Chris Beacom stepped down from Foster’s coaching staff in February.
Pat Fitzgerald, the University’s former head football coach, was fired on Monday.
This story has been updated to include a quote from Combe Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Derrick Gragg. It has also been updated to include that assistant coach Brian Anderson will “take leadership of the program.”
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