2023 Northwestern Offseason Thread

[847badgerfan]

I'd like to see the Badgers go after this kid. Love his official to Wisconsin. Go get 'em Fick.

[FearlessF]

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.

[GopherRock]

That escalated quickly. 


https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1678535730967072773?t=GjaLcrQ-ULnsybrdd5REWA&s=19

[Honestbuckeye]

It is a sad day.  Not saying he didn’t deserve it.  Still….sad.  

[FearlessF]

Former Northwestern Associate AD for Strategic Initiatives and Communications Paul Kennedy was officially named the Big Ten conference’s Vice President of Sports Communications Monday afternoon.

Kennedy, who had been with Northwestern since 2012, “will oversee communications operations for all 28 Big Ten Conference-sponsored sports” according to a release from the B1G Monday evening.

“I am thrilled to welcome Paul and Scott to the Big Ten Conference,” deputy commissioner Diane Dietz said. “Their extensive leadership and experience within collegiate athletics will help the conference continue to provide best-in-class service to our member institutions, student-athletes, and media partners.”

This announcement comes just days after reports surfaced that Northwestern’s football program is being investigated for hazing, the details of which contain reports of sexual harassment and, according to statements from some former players, a “culture of racism.”

[Brutus Buckeye]

The odd numbered year Northwestern strikes again. 

[FearlessF]

Northwestern is expected to turn to David Braun as its acting head coach following the dismissal of Pat Fitzgerald.

The news comes from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, via sources. Braun was a January addition to the Wildcats coaching staff.


Prior to his arrival in Evanston, Braun was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at North Dakota State from 2019-to-2022. Braun helped lead North Dakota State to FCS national championships in 2019 and 2021. In both of the championship seasons, the Bison finished as the top-ranked scoring defense in the FCS.

Braun was recognized as the FCS Coordinator of the Year for 2021. That season, the Bison limited opponents to an MVFC record 11.1 points per game, ranked third nationally in total defense (264.7 yards per game) and 3rd-down conversion defense (26.8%), fifth in red zone defense (68%) and sixth in rushing defense (87.6 yards per game).

Braun has been in coaching as an assistant since 2008, getting his start at Winona State as a grad assistant. His other stops include Culver-Stockton, UC Davis and Northern Iowa.

[bayareabadger]

As interim options go, not a bad one. Longtime staffer would be a tough sell. 

[Brutus Buckeye]

Should have been towel dude. 

[bayareabadger]

Should have been towel dude.

You don’t wanna know what that guy was aware of.

[FearlessF]

Fitzgerald released a statement on his firing, first reflecting on his time as the Wildcats’ head coach. He said “great pride” is taken in what Northwestern has accomplished over nearly the past two decades within the football program.


“I had the privilege of serving as the Head Football Coach at Northwestern University for the past 17 years,” Fitzgerald said via ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “As a former Wildcat player who played a part in a remarkable transformation of our program, it was a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to lead the team. I take great pride in the achievements we accomplished during my tenure both on and off the field.”


Fitzgerald also laid out how he and Schill had a mutual agreement on his punishment for the hazing allegations — the two-week offseason suspension. The change of heart from the school’s president has resulted in Fitzgerald hiring a lawyer in order to “protect (his) rights.”

“I was surprised when I learned that the president of Northwestern unilaterally revoked our agreement without any prior notification and subsequently terminated my employment,” Fitzgerald said.

“Given this unexpected turn on events, I have entrusted my agent, Bryan Harlan, and legal counsel, Dan Webb from Winston & Strawn LLP, to take the necessary steps to protect my rights in accordance with the law.”

[Hawkinole]

It is too bad. But the conduct of the players was extremely bad, probably criminal. Yet no player was suspended, and an assistant coach was named interim coach. Although the assistant was there for only one year, I am not sure how you retain any of the coaches because they are contaminated by the same evidence of "should have known" of what was widely known on the football team.

[bayareabadger]

It is too bad. But the conduct of the players was extremely bad, probably criminal. Yet no player was suspended, and an assistant coach was named interim coach. Although the assistant was there for only one year, I am not sure how you retain any of the coaches because they are contaminated by the same evidence of "should have known" of what was widely known on the football team.

A. The assistant raised up has been there for maybe six months. 
B. You retain the current assistant coaches because the alternative is to all but forfeit every game. It’s July. You can’t get new people in unless you promise them a bunch of long-term money. 

[Benthere2]

A. The assistant raised up has been there for maybe six months.
B. You retain the current assistant coaches because the alternative is to all but forfeit every game. It’s July. You can’t get new people in unless you promise them a bunch of long-term money.

c. they all know they are dead men walking