Football players at Minnesota State, Mankato, say they are ready to practice under reinstated coach Todd Hoffner.

The Mavericks football program held a news conference Thursday, the day after players refused to practice when Hoffner returned to the school.

In a statement, junior defensive back Sam Thompson and sophomore wide receiver Kyle Riggott say the team is “ready to get back to playing football.” The players say they wanted their voice heard about their support for interim coach Aaron Keen and for a “more robust communication channel” about the coaching situation.

Hoffner said in a statement he does not take the players’ actions personally.

Hoffner returned to campus for the first time Wednesday since an arbitrator ruled he was fired unfairly last year in the wake of a child porn investigation that ultimately cleared him.

The team is scheduled to practice Friday afternoon.