Northwestern fires baseball coach Jim Foster

Jim Foster at Wrigley
Northwestern baseball head coach Jim Foster throws the ceremonial first pitch of the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field on September 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo credit Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Northwestern University has fired head baseball coach Jim Foster.

Foster created a toxic culture within the Northwestern baseball program that has run off coaches, broken the spirit of his team and led to a human resources investigation by the university regarding his alleged bullying and verbally abusive behavior, nine sources told 670 The Score in a story released Monday afternoon.

Northwestern president Michael Schill and Athletic Director Derrick Gragg informed the baseball team of Foster's dismissal Thursday evening.

Gragg issued a brief statement about Foster, writing, "Nothing will ever be more important to Northwestern than providing its students a place that allows them to develop in the classroom, in the community, and in competition at the absolute highest level, and building a culture which allows our staff to thrive.

"This has been an ongoing situation and many factors were considered before reaching this resolution. As the director of athletics, I take ownership of our head coaching hires and we will share our next steps as they unfold."

The dismissal of Foster coincides with Northwestern firing head football coach Pat Fitzgerald on Monday in the wake of an investigation confirming allegations of hazing within that program.

Foster was 10-40 in his lone season leading Northwestern.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images