It's not that the Mankato State football players had an issue with coach Todd Hoffner; it's that they had no voice in the process that brought him back as the team's head coach.
USA TODAY Sports reported Thursday that the players who boycotted Hoffner's first day of spring practice, ended their one-day holdout and accepted the return of Hoffner as coach.
"As a team we are ready to get back to playing football," junior defensive back Samuel Thompson said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. "... We stand behind our actions and statement made, but in no way did we want our actions to undermine coach Hoffner's return. ... We look forward to coming back to the practice field Friday."
According to USA TODAY Sports, Hoffner was back at Makato (Minn.) State on Tuesday, almost 20 months after he was suspended amid allegations of child pornography, which turned out to be video of his own children dancing naked in a whirlpool tub that was on his school-issued cell phone.
A judge dismissed felony charges in November of 2012 and exonerated Hoffner. The school, however, reassigned him to an administrative position and then fired him last May.
An arbitrator ruled last week that Hoffner was wrongly terminated and could have his job back with back pay.
Coach Aaron Keen, Hoffner's offensive coordinator who took over initially on an interim basis, guided the team to a 24-2 record during his two seasons. Hoffner rebuild a losing program during his four years, going 34-13 with a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship in 2011.
The players, who were not happy with their exclusion in the process, did not dress out for Wednesday's practice in protest of Hoffner's reinstatement as well as in support for Keen.
"Throughout this process," Thompson said, "our voice has been silenced. It's time our voice was heard. We want information, we want answers, because this is our team. As a unit we have decided not to practice because of the changeup in the coaching situation."
Do you think the players were justified in their boycott of coach Todd Hoffner's return to Mankato State? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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