College coach reinstated after clearing pornography charges
The story is everywhere now.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past week, you may have seen on ESPN, Time Magazine and even the New York Times that the Minnesota State-Mankato football team is taking a stand.
Former Burlington standout wide receiver Ty Dennis is a freshman on the Mavericks, and he recently cleared the air about the team’s controversial week involving the reinstatement of a head coach that was wrongfully accused of child pornography.
Todd Hoffner, who coached the Mavericks to a 34-13 record from 2008 to 2012, came under fire with the university in August 2012.
He was charged with two felonies, using minors in a sexual performance or pornographic work, and possession of child pornography.
But the pictures on his cell phone were of his kids harmlessly playing after a bath, and a judge dismissed the charges. Hoffner seemed to be off the hook.
But in June of that year, Jerry Sandusky was found guilty of sexually abusing young boys at Penn State University, so colleges were on alert.
Even though Hoffner was cleared of charges, he was suspended for 20 days. By May 2013, he was fired for allegedly viewing pornography on his work computer.
Hoffner denied the vicious allegations, and an arbitrator ruled he shouldn’t have been fired and ordered the school to reinstate him.
In Hoffner’s absence, interim coach Aaron Keen took over and led the Mavericks to a 24-2 record and two Division 2 playoff appearances over the last two seasons.
But on Tuesday of last week, Hoffner, who chose to return to Mankato instead of accepting a new head coaching position at Minot State, finally returned to the school.
That’s when Dennis and his teammates made a statement. They showed their loyalty to Keen and refused to practice for Hoffner.
“We found out like every person by watching Coach Hoffner’s press conference,” Dennis said. “The next day, we had a player-only meeting before our pre-practice meetings, and the upperclassmen on the team wanted to do something about the situation. We were never addressed in person by any coaches, including Coach Hoffner.”
So the Mavericks decided to skip the practice and address the coaches and media instead. They wanted their voices to be heard.
Dennis said only three players didn’t care who the coach was and just wanted to practice. But Dennis insisted that most players were upset that they never had a voice during the process.
“When new coaching positions open up players are a part of the interview and hiring process,” Dennis said. “We all knew there was nothing we could do since it was ruled by the arbitrator that Coach Hoffner gets his job back, but we simply wanted a voice.”
Defensive back Sam Thompson released a statement on behalf of the team: “We’ve all become outstanding community members, students and athletes in the last year and a half since the removal of Todd Hoffner. Throughout this process, we have been silent. It is time our voice is heard. We want information, we want answers, because this is our team. As a unit we have decided not to practice, because of the change-up in the coaching situation. We want Aaron Keen as the head coach.”
Dennis and the rest of the underclassmen don’t really know Hoffner, but Dennis said the upperclassmen weren’t in favor of some of his coaching methods.
“Players thought he had unnecessary practice conditions and team rules that weren’t called for,” Dennis said. “Some players felt they weren’t treated the way they should be. So once he left under his allegations, Coach Keen took over as the interim head coach, so I guess it was a change for the better. Players thought that it was going to be a change for the worse once he took over again.”
But Hoffner is the head coach now, and Keen is still on as an associate head coach. The Mavericks have their spring game Saturday, and Keen and Hoffner will both be involved.
Dennis said Keen is a “player’s coach,” and his ability to inspire greatness is “truly special.” But Dennis also respects Hoffner tremendously, considering the nightmare he’s lived the past two years.
Dennis said Hoffner could’ve taken the easy way out and left for Minot State, but Hoffner’s family is rooted in Mankato and he loves the area.
Saturday will be the first step toward returning to some kind of normalcy.
“Coach Keen has still been in control of practices but Coach Hoffner walks around observing and complimenting players,” Dennis said. “He also addresses the team shortly before we head into the locker room after Coach Keen. It feels like things haven’t changed. I don’t think a lot will change. Coach Hoffner has made it clear that he’s not here to mess everything up, he is going to adapt to what things are now.”
Hoffner is the head coach and is under contract through 2018, so Dennis will get to know him plenty.
While he red-shirted as a freshman, the talented receiver is sure to get his opportunity soon.
This whole ordeal has taught the young Dennis, only 18 years old, a lot about unity and loyalty.
Dennis also learned that the media can make something much worse than it is. He felt a lot of reports were one-sided and portrayed the school in a negative light.
He said people went online and said a lot of hateful and aggressive words toward the team and the university.
For now, Dennis can’t wait to get back to football and forget about this controversial situation.
“First off, there’s power in unity. A group of 80 guys made an impact and had our voices heard,” Dennis said. “Even though it was extremely controversial, we accomplished something. It brought the brotherhood of the team even closer. I also learned that the media can twist things and make you look bad and sometimes attention isn’t the best thing. Most importantly, regardless of who my coach is, I was reminded that I will always have football and that should be my number one priority.”
The Sandusky scandal shook the NCAA to its core, and universities have every right to investigate serious allegations. But what happened to Hoffner was wrong, and I can’t imagine the struggle he endured the past two years.
However, it’s a new day, and the Mavericks are giving him a second chance even though they weren’t sure at first.
The young men showed a lot of maturity by essentially forgiving Hoffner and wiping the slate clean. They stood up for what they believed in, and I believe things can only get better from here.
In a time when collegiate athletes are fighting for their rights more than ever, whether it’s over health insurance or other benefits, the NCAA was once again reminded that these kids are human beings who deserve to be heard.
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