Coach Todd Hoffner signs extension

The football head coach signs a deal that keeps him with the organization until 2023

Minnesota State University officials announced on Tuesday that they’ve reached an agreement, with head football coach Todd Hoffner, on a new five-year contract extension, which will make him head coach of the football team until 2023.

Hoffner, who has guided the Mavericks to a 79-20 (.797) record in his eight years total with the team, is looking forward to continue the foundation he’s built upon for the program over the past few seasons.

A lot can change for a person in five years. Five years ago, Hoffner was in the middle of an investigation, and was let go from the team because of it. After going to court and clearing his name, he got a second chance with the team in 2014, and he hasn’t turned back since.

“This experience taught me a lot how to stick up for myself. I was accused of something I didn’t do, and I turned this bad situation, into a positive one,” he said.

Athletic Director Kevin Buisman, has been very pleased with the turnaround Hoffner has made for himself and the team.

“Coach Hoffner has guided the program on a pathway that has allowed us to experience a consistent level of success that places us in a position to compete for championships each and every season and establishes

Minnesota State as one of the top football programs in the country,” said Buisman, “This new contract provides a level of stability and security about our future direction and demonstrates the level of commitment we want to make to Coach Hoffner and the future success of Maverick football. We are excited about what we have accomplished with Todd at the helm and optimistic about attaining our ultimate goals as we continue the journey together.”

For Hoffner, he didn’t do a whole lot of celebrating after signing his extension with the team.

“There wasn’t a whole lot of celebrating to say the least”, said Hoffner. ”The team [has] yet to win a game in 2018, and that’ll be the mindset moving forward into the offseason.”

Under Hoffner, Minnesota State has won four Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championships and six NSIC South Division titles. His 79 wins rank second on the school’s all-time list for football career win, including an appearance in the NCAA championship game in 2014 when the Mavericks posted a 14-1 record.

Minnesota State has made five NCAA Division II postseason tournament appearances and earned a Mineral Water Bowl championship during his career.

Hoffner was also named the NSIC Coach of the Year in 2009 and the regional coach of the year in 2014, 85 players have earned NSIC All-Academic honors, five student-athletes have earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors and 13 players have earned All-American honors under his leadership.

A pair of his former players have continued their careers in the National Football League in wide receiver Adam Thielen with the Minnesota Vikings and offensive lineman Chris Reed of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hoffner looks to continue to build upon his career for this talented football team. As the team now has their coach locked up, they can now focus at the task at hand, and that’s playing football the Minnesota State way.