Where Are They Now?
Recruited by Jim Wacker, Hoffman came to The U from Fargo, North Dakota and quickly earned the reputation as a vocal leader and a true “œprogram guy.” His work ethic was pivotal in Minnesota returning to its first (and second) bowl game since 1986.
Hoffman’s name can be found all over the Gopher defensive record book: most tackles all time by a Gopher freshman (107 in 1997), single game record holder for tackles for a loss in a game (six), seventh all time with 27 tackles for a loss and 12 quarterback sacks and second all time with seven fumble recoveries. A second team All Big Ten selection in 2000, Hoffman was also a two-time recipient of the team’s Neil Fredenburg Award, given to the Gopher with “œcourage and love of the game.”
After his time as a Gopher, Hoffman married and pursued a career in financial services with Piper Jaffray, the regions personal financial advising leader. The former Gopher recently spent time chatting with GopherHole about his memories as a Gopher, his thoughts on the current team and his enjoyment working as a guide for clients on their financial journey at Piper Jaffray.
GH.com: Where has your post Gopher career taken you?
Hoffman: Shortly after the bowl game in Miami I took an opportunity at Piper Jaffray. My father has been with Piper Jaffray in North Dakota for a long time and I was very interested in pursuing financial services as a career as well. I wanted to go into business with my father, but we both agreed that it was very important for me to establish myself in the industry, learn from a number of different people and work by myself first. So I started at Piper as a margin analyst, then moved to the Wayzata office and began a career as a financial advisor. I recently teamed up with my father and we now work as a team. He services clients in the North Dakota office and I am in Piper Jaffray’s Wayzata office.
GH.com: A lot of former athletes get into financial services. What attracted you to it?
Hoffman: I think being a financial advisor has a lot of the same qualities that football and many sports has. The more you put in to being an FA, the more you get out of it. I really like the daily opportunity of finding financial solutions for clients.
GH.com: How has being a former Gopher athlete helped you so far in your career?
Hoffman: It certainly doesn’t hurt, and it may open a few doors that may otherwise not be there. But that only lasts so long. Once that door is open, it’s up to each individual to keep it open and make a name for oneself in the corporate world. Sometimes I think The U could do a better job of nurturing the athlete alumni base. There are so many successful former Gopher athletes and it would be great if a more defined program were in place for both current and former student athletes to tap in to.
GH.com: Did you consider looking at playing or coaching football after college?
Hoffman: I had an absolute blast playing for the Gophers. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life, but when the final bowl game was over I was ready to move on. Part of that is due to the shoulder surgeries I had during my playing days, and I was ready for a new challenge which I am getting at Piper Jaffray. I still love to follow the game though.
GH.com: Speaking of following the Gophers, do you still follow the program?
Hoffman: Oh definitely. The group that went through the program during my years took a lot of pride taking us from a lower-tier team to two straight bowl games. A lot of sweat went into that. It is very rewarding seeing the program continue on that and build on the foundation we hopefully establish. I am proud to see them in bowl games every year.
GH.com: Looking back at your days as a Gopher, is there any game that sticks out more than others?
Hoffman: I think anyone that was on the team in 1999, will look back at the Penn State win at Penn State as the most memorable moment in their respective career. I think that game was the true turning point for the program. We all kind of looked at each other and realized that we have turned a major corner and can compete with anyone.
GH.com: What former teammates and coaches do you keep in contact with?
Hoffman: I talk with my position coach, Coach Steve Stripling quite often. He is now at Michigan. I also keep in touch with Jon Michals and Ben Mezera.
GH.com: Who was the best teammate you ever played with?
Hoffman: That would be Ben Hamilton. He was awesome. He had such an incredible work ethic. Whether we were on the practice field, in the weight room or in the film room, he was always giving it everything he had. We went against each other in practice quite a bit through the years and I can only think of a play or two in all the years we battled that I got the better of him. Tyrone Carter also had an awesome work ethic and the thing that was great about him was he was always smiling. No matter what he had a smile on his face and that is contagious.
GH.com: Who were the toughest opponents you ever played against?
Hoffman: Aaron Gibson at Wisconsin was really though as was Ron Dayne. Although I have a picture of me tackling Dayne for a loss. Two other guys that were memorable are Curtis Enis and Anthony Thompson. Those guys were hard runners.
GH.com: What advice would you give to current and future Gophers?
Hoffman: I would suggest that the guys truly take advantage of their time at The U. They’ll make lifelong friends that they are going to battle with and that is something you can’t replace. But to do that, they have to take care of business in the classroom. That is so important as football does not last forever.
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