Chip Scoggins: Nightmare turns into dream year for Hoffner, Minnesota State Mankato football

Todd Hoffner returned to his locker room Saturday afternoon, checked his iPhone and was floored by what he saw.

Text messages and e-mails poured in, so many that his battery drained trying to respond to all the congratulatory well-wishes. He still had more than 100 e-mails to read as of late Sunday night.

"You get people who are rooting for you and wishing for you and praying for you and excited for you," he said.

This is what healing looks like. And what it feels like. A man who has been to hell and back enjoying a big victory, still emotionally scarred but thankful for a second chance to do something he loves.

Two years ago, Hoffner was hauled off the football practice field at Minnesota State Mankato, accused of child pornography involving images of his own children.

On Saturday, he guided his team to a Division II playoff victory, extending a season that been both remarkable and therapeutic. Undefeated and ranked No. 1 nationally, the Mavericks play host to second-ranked Minnesota Duluth in the quarterfinals Saturday.

Their season could've gone in any direction and nobody would have been surprised. That's why Hoffner sounds so appreciative of this moment. His life once unjustly reduced to a nightmare, he's found winning to be a "bridge" that's allowed him to cross a world of hurt and confusion.

"I'm just trying to do my job and help these young men out," he said. "I don't have any hidden agendas or vendettas or whatever it may be. But let's don't kid ourselves. Winning has been a definite blessing in this transition."

Criminal charges brought by an overzealous county attorney in the wake of the Penn State scandal ultimately were dismissed. Hoffner lost his job but got it back based on an arbitrator's ruling.

Cleared and vindicated, he returned to work surrounded by uneasiness. The people who fired him remain his bosses. His players walked off the field in demonstration before his first practice.

That was then. Now they're 12-0 and still alive in the postseason. The healing process remains ongoing.

"When you're winning, there's a lot of great things that go on," Hoffner said, "and the things that aren't so great get swept underneath the carpet."

Hoffner knew he had to change, as a person and coach. His exile gave him time to reflect and forced him, in his words, to consume "a big ol' piece of humble pie."

His former self coached players too hard. He was overly stern and rigid. Asked to describe his coaching style, he said, "Firm but fair. Emphasizing the word firm."

He's become more supportive this season. He's quick to praise his assistants. His practices aren't so demanding. He doesn't obsess over every small detail. He says he has a "very healthy relationship" with his players and coaching staff.

"When you swallow your pride a little bit, you have to change things and do things differently," he said. "That's not always the easiest thing to do as a person — to change who you are. I'm still learning, still evolving as a coach. …

"Somebody needs to be the voice of encouragement, the voice of support, and that's who I am right now. That's my role. I actually love that role and enjoy where I'm at. Change is difficult. I have a lot of faith and belief in my ability to adapt."

He's tried to change as a man, too. Like most football coaches, Hoffner became consumed by his job. His family often took a back seat to his football duties.

He still works long hours, but he's made a conscious effort to spend more time with his wife and kids and not allow his job to interfere completely with his home life.

"I've tried to have more balance in my life," he said. "It's been healthy from a personal standpoint. I was always too busy. Now, I'm probably more available. I'm still working hard at football, but it's not crazy, out-of-balance, out-of-whack kind of hard work."

This week might be a different story. Hoffner has another playoff game to prepare for, which means more video review, more meetings, more practices, more stress.

He's grateful for all of it.

"Hopefully I'm a better coach, a better person and a better father because of everything," he said. "Hopefully this magical ride continues because that sure would be fun to win another game and see what happens from there."

Chip Scoggins • chip.scoggins@startribune.com