Report: Northwestern baseball coach Jim Foster accused of creating 'toxic environment'

Northwestern baseball coach Jim Foster was accused of creating a toxic environment within the program, according to a report from 670 The Score.

This comes on the heels of football coach Pat Fitzgerald getting suspended for the first two weeks of the season amid hazing allegations. Foster was accused of numerous things to create a toxic environment.

What will happen next with Foster remains to be seen.

“BREAKING: 670 TheScore has reported that Northwestern baseball head coach Jim Foster has created a ‘toxic environment in the program’ and ‘broken the spirit of this team,’” InsideNU wrote on Twitter. “The report also said Foster ‘made inappropriate comments about a female staff member.’”

Foster just wrapped up his first year as Northwestern’s head coach after coaching Army from 2017-22.

The team went 10-40 this season after Foster had a 162-140 stint with Army, including four NCAA Regional appearances.

Nine players reportedly shared with 670 The Score the information, which included an investigation conducted by the university. However, the administration allegedly did not speak to players during the process.

An HR report was filed in November 2022 and concluded in February 2023 with two assistant coaches and the program’s director of operations stepping down.

In addition to alleged inappropriate comments to a female staffer, Foster allegedly made racist remarks and encouraged players not to seek treatment for injury.

According to the report, one player was forced to engage in a “punishment run,” which lasted for nearly an entire two-and-a-half hour practice.

The report claimed 15 players transferred solely because of Foster and when the coach left Army last summer, there was allegedly a Zoom celebration and the school was thrilled he was gone.

In addition to the off-the-field reports, the hiring process was unusual. Athletic Director Derrick Gragg and Deputy Director of Athletics Monique Holland allegedly passed off the hiring process to two Northwestern boosters, who sat in on the final interviews.

The boosters reportedly used to play for former head coach Ron Wellman and said a disciplinarian like Foster would help Northwestern overachieve and have success on the baseball field.

The accusations against Foster came on the heels of alleged hazing within the football program that led to Fitzgerald’s suspension.

As of Monday afternoon, Foster remained the Northwestern head coach.