MANKATO, Minn. -- Minnesota State Mankato Football Coach Todd Hoffner will be in court Wednesday for a hearing, but ahead of that, those who support him came out in full-force Tuesday night.

"I would stand by them any day," says family friend, Kristine Schimek.

Hoffner has been on paid leave since August, when videos of his children were found on his University-issued cell phone and he was charged with child pornography.

Schimek organized a vigil at the Hoffner's home on Tuesday night, she says she wanted to show the family how much support they really have.

"We thought, what can we do for one last push to send them off feeling good and confident and know there's a lot of support in the community for them? No more hot dishes and brownies, we're going to do something a little bit bigger," she says.

A couple dozen people showed up to show their support too by holding candles and saying prayers. Among them was family friend, Chad Galles.

"My two boys are twins, and my cousins came, and they were in the tub, and we took a picture and we gave them as a gift. We look at it every day and smile. He's getting prosecuted for that and I feel like if he's found guilty, any one of us could be put in jail for that," said Galles.

Hoffner's attorneys have filed for dismissal ahead of Wednesday's hearing, which will take place at the Blue Earth County Justice Center.

We're told there will be several speakers at the hearing, including experts and character witnesses on Hoffner's behalf.

 

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