Northwestern baseball, bogged down in debate, hires Ben Greenspan as new coach to replace Jim Foster

Ben Greenspan has been employed as Northwestern's new baseball coach, the university revealed Friday. Greenspan takes over for Jim Foster, who was dismissed in July amidst allegations of bullying and abusive behavior that triggered a recent suit from 3 previous team staffers.
" After an extensive nationwide search, Ben's experience and coaching expertise quickly set him apart within the prospect pool," athletic director Derrick Gragg said in a press release. "At each of his stops, he has actually consistently showcased his ability to develop both gamers and programs. With a tested track record of hiring leading talent and cultivating development, we're positive Ben will lead our baseball program to new heights."
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Greenspan concerns Northwestern from the University of Michigan, where he spent last season as associate head coach and recruiting planner. He formerly coached at California Polytechnic State University, Arizona State and Indiana.
" I am honored and humbled to be picked as the next Head Baseball Coach at Northwestern," Greenspan stated in the release. "My expert and personal beliefs align with the objective and worths of Northwestern University, where academically oriented student-athletes strive for quality on the field and in the classroom. My playing and coaching experience in the Big Ten has actually offered me with a knowledge of the fierce competition and excellence of the Conference. This is a challenge that I invite."
Greenspan takes the helm of a program bogged down in debate. Foster was release July 13, days after the Chicago Tribune and others reported on accusations of abuse and bullying that eventually resulted in a human resources investigation.
That probe, the Tribune reported, discovered "enough evidence" that the first-year coach "participated in bullying and violent habits." It went on to conclude that Foster "made an inappropriate remark relating to a female team member and spoke adversely about his staff to other staff members."
Multiple players hit the transfer portal at the end of a tumultuous 10-40 season. Assistant coach Brian Anderson, a former Chicago White Sox gamer who was part of the 2005 World Series-winning team, was asked to lead the program following Foster's departure.
Previously today, two former assistant coaches and the previous operations director sued the university, declaring it failed to protect them and gamers from "an abusive, hazardous and hazardous environment" under Foster.
" We reported coach Foster's conduct to Northwestern thinking that they would do the ideal thing. Northwestern did refrain from doing the ideal thing," Chris Beacom, former group operations director, said in a declaration checked out during a news conference Monday announcing the lawsuit.
" Instead," he continued, "they swept our reports under the carpet, putting their personnel, student-athletes and reputation at threat."
[Read more: Ex-Northwestern baseball staffers submit fit, accuse university of enabling coach to produce 'hazardous environment'] Beacom and two former assistant coaches, Dusty Napoleon and Jon Strauss, are taking legal action against the university, Foster, Gragg, deputy athletic director Monique Holland and associate athletic director for personnels Rachel Velez.
Foster's attorney, James Kelly, emailed a statement Tuesday saying his customer "rejects all accusations of misbehavior. He anticipates strongly protecting these incorrect claims and being totally vindicated when the truth is exposed about Plaintiffs' harmful intentions and pursuit of personal financial gain."
Northwestern coach Jim Foster heads back to the dugout for a video game versus Notre Dame on May 16 at Wrigley Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune).
Northwestern, on the other hand, provided a declaration calling the claim "without benefit.".
" When the athletic director and the university were initially warned of grievances about coach Foster, the university immediately started a human resources examination," the statement checked out. "The assistant coaches and director of operations received complete assistance from the university, they were paid for their complete agreements and, at their request, were enabled to support other areas of our athletic department as required.".
The claim, submitted in Cook County court, is the current in a growing variety of legal obstacles facing the university and its beleaguered athletics department in the wake of a football hazing scandal that broadened to accusations of abuse and bullying on other groups.
[Northwestern's hazing history: Cases over 150 years show how tough it can be for colleges, institutions to snuff out these rituals] Originally Published: Aug 18, 2023 at 8:42 pm.