The school announced the move on Thursday, adding that assistant Brian Anderson will take over on an interim basis. Northwestern athletic director Derrick Gragg informed the team of the decision Thursday afternoon, alongside school president Michael Schill, according to The Chicago Tribune.
“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,” Gragg said in a release from the program. “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.”
Foster, who was hired by Gragg in June of last year, had an investigation opened against him before the season, according to The Tribune. It found “sufficient evidence” that Foster “engaged in bullying and abusive behavior,” and made an inappropriate comment about a female staff member.
According to The Tribune, athletic department leaders were urged to “take remedial action” against Foster but he coached through the season without any public discipline.
Issues inside Foster’s program were also reported on by 670 The Score’s Danny Parkins. When asked for comment on the allegations, Foster told Parkins the story was a “hit piece” and said, “Maybe the players aren’t good enough and are just making excuses or are disgruntled.”
Foster spent 6 seasons at Army before joining Northwestern. The Wildcats went 10-40 in his first season and opened the year with 11 consecutive losses.
The move to dismiss Foster comes just days after Northwestern fired longtime head football coach Pat Fitzgerald following an investigation into hazing within the football program.
Featured photo via Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
