George Schroeder

USA TODAY Sports

No one was surprised. But as Minnesota State-Mankato coach Todd Hoffner arrived Monday at Papa George's restaurant for his semi-regular lunch with a group of longtime boosters who've become friends, they asked, anyway.

When, someone wanted to know, would the new poll be released? Or more to the point: "When will we move up to No. 1?"

"We already have," the coach said.

And while Hoffner accepted congratulations from the members of the informally named "Dinosaur Club" after Minnesota State-Mankato (7-0) ascended from No. 2 in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, he also noted — to the lunch bunch and then later in a telephone interview with USA TODAY Sports — that a midseason ranking is just that.

"It's a very big deal," Hoffner said. "It's tremendous recognition for our players, coaches, the university and the community. But it just makes the target on your back that much bigger."

But the No. 1 ranking carries some extra meaning in Hoffner's first season back with the program after two years away.

Hoffner was suspended by the school in August 2012 after naked videos of his children were found on a school-issued cell phone. He was arrested a few days later on felony child pornography charges, but a judge dismissed the charges in November 2012, writing the videos "contain nude images of Defendant's minor children dancing and acting playful after a bath. That is all they contain."

But exoneration didn't immediately mean a return to his former life. Hoffner was reassigned by Minnesota State-Mankato after the judge's decision, then fired several months later.

In April, an arbitrator ruled Hoffner had been wrongly fired and must be reinstated. Hoffner left behind the head-coaching position he'd only recently accepted at Minot (N.D.) State, and told USA TODAY Sports that returning to his former position was important for closure and to completely restore his reputation.

"I had goals of being exonerated and vindicated," Hoffner said last April. "Those were two things I wanted to see through."

Now, he's seen his football team ascend to No. 1.

Minnesota State-Mankato is one of 13 undefeated teams in the Top 25. Hoffner credited the No. 1 ranking in large part to a "legacy" of success, saying the foundation was laid over the last few years, including in 2012 and 2013, when interim head coach Aaron Keen headed the program.

From 2008-11 under Hoffner, the Mavericks were 34-13. The Mavericks went 24-2 under Keen, with unbeaten regular seasons in 2012 and 2013. They spent the final six weeks of the 2013 season ranked No. 1 before losing in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

"We're excited that we're being recognized for the body of work that's been done, even in my absence," Hoffner said, "and this team is continuing the tradition and the legacy that have been build. You only get ranked No. 1 if your body of work displays excellence. … That gets us to where we are now."

The day Hoffner returned last April, Minnesota State-Mankato players boycotted a scheduled spring practice, saying they supported Keen, who was bumped to associate head coach to make room for Hoffner. They returned after meeting to clear the air with coaches and athletic department officials. A few weeks later, Keen left to become special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at FBS-level Eastern Michigan.

In winning their first seven games this season, the Mavericks have outscored opponents 330-73, starting with a 31-0 win against St. Cloud State, which had knocked them out of the playoffs last season.

"Everybody is obviously very happy," said John Harrington, the color analyst on the team's radio broadcasts, a longtime booster and a self-described friend of Hoffner's who is a regular at the Dinosaur Club lunches. "We're very proud of the program and extremely happy for Todd, after what he's gone through, to step back in and have success happen right away, without a fall-off. There certainly would have been some rumbling and grumbling if there'd been a fall-off.

"It's been nothing but success. It's fabulous to see."

Still, Hoffner said he doesn't see the ranking as anything more than midseason recognition. The Mavericks have four games remaining in the regular season.

"Things are going well," Hoffner said. "We're just trying to improve every day, trying to be better. That's our main focus. That's no different for me, too, as a person and a coach. We're just trying to find ways to help our players and put them in the best position."

Hoffner made a point to note that Minnesota State-Mankato's women's soccer team also ranked No. 1, and said it's a good time for the entire athletic department. But he said his focus is on Augustana, the Mavericks' next opponent.

"It's a great honor," Hoffner said of being ranked No. 1. "It's something we greatly appreciate, the recognition and the notoriety that comes with it. But we've got a game this Saturday. You're only as good as your next snap. We're hoping we can continue to improve. That's our next mission."