MSU Coach Booked In Child Porn Case
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The head football coach at Minnesota State University, Mankato, was in jail Tuesday night in relation to possible child pornography charges.
Todd Hoffner has been head coach at MSU for 5 years.
On Friday, university officials put him on administrative leave. Tuesday morning police arrested him and he remained in Blue Earth County Jail Tuesday night.
Hoffner was escorted off the field during practice on Friday and didn't return. It wasn't until Tuesday morning that players, coaches and students found out why.
"Really surprised. Really surprising considering the whole thing with Penn State. It's pretty sad," said MSU junior Alex Baird.
Hoffner was arrested at his home in nearby Eagle Lake. He's being held on two probable charges: "use of minors in a sexual performance" and "possession of pornographic work involving minors."
Police said Hoffner was cooperative during the arrest. But because he has not been formally charged, neither police nor the university is talking about the allegations.
"You think about the Sandusky incident and the Penn State situation," said junior Cortez Hollis.
Hollis has friends on the football team and heard about Hoffner's arrest Tuesday afternoon. With school set to start and the football season just over a week away, he's upset that the spotlight has been taken off the team and put on the coach -- and for all the wrong reasons.
"Now it's more of a sickening feeling for a student on campus. It's terrible," he said.
Hoffner could be formally charged Wednesday.
University officials said they will conduct their own investigation, and as of now are not aware of any allegations involving students or members of the football team.
An assistant coach said that Hoffner lives with his wife and three children.
Hoffner recently signed an extension through 2016.
Associate head coach Aaron Keen will be the interim head coach when MSU-Mankato opens the season at Minot State on Aug. 30.
