Minnesota State players practice for Hoffner

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Coach Todd Hoffner is back on the field at Minnesota State, Mankato after football players ended their brief boycott of spring practice.

Hoffner joined his team Friday. The Free Press of Mankato reports he watched the team work out, but didn't run the drills.

Hoffner was arrested in 2012 after images of his naked children were found on his university-issued cellphone. A judge tossed the charges, saying the video merely showed his children playing after a bath.

But the school fired Hoffner. He was reinstated Wednesday after being cleared by an arbitrator, though players refused to practice to show support for interim coach Aaron Keen.

After meeting with coaches Thursday, players said they'd play for Hoffner.

Junior defensive lineman Barry Ballinger says the Mavericks are "glad to be moving forward."