The old saying “you can’t go home again” apparently is lost on Steve Loney.

The 48-year-old Loney will return as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Iowa State just two years after leaving those posts to perform the same duties under Glen Mason at Minnesota.

Pete Hoener, Iowa State’s offensive coordinator who replaced Loney in 1998, resigned last week to take a position at Texas A&M.

Loney spearheaded Iowa State’s offense from 1995 until 1997. Under Loney, the Cyclone offense featured one of the best running games in the country.

Standout back Troy Davis flourished in Loney’s system, rushing for 2,000 yards in two consecutive years, becoming the first man in NCAA history to accomplish that feat.

As offensive line coach, he saw linemen Pat Augafa and Tim Kohn garner All-Big 12 honors, and generally had one of the most efficient units in the country.

He then went to Minnesota, where he called plays and worked again with the offensive line.

Last year, when the Gophers set several school records in total offense, Loney did not call the plays but was still considered to be the offensive coordinator.

His task this season will be a difficult one. The offensive line he inherits is unstable, especially after concussions plagued players last season.

McCarney tried to alleviate the problem a bit by signing three junior college offensive linemen, but it remains to be seen how much they can contribute.

A native of Marshalltown who earned his bachelor’s degree at Iowa State, Loney has been a well-traveled coach since taking his first post as offensive coordinator at Missouri Western College.

Following that two-year tenure, he became the head coach at Leavenworth (Kan.) High School from 1977-78. He then took another step up in the coaching ranks when he was named offensive coordinator and later head coach at Morehead State, spending a total of five years there.

After a three year tenure at the Citadel, Loney joined former Iowa State coach Earl Bruce at Colorado State, where he was the offensive line coach.

He even served a year in the NFL, serving as offensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals.

After a year as assistant head coach at Connecticut, Loney was hired by ISU.

Loney’s wife and three children have remained in Ames throughout his stay in Minnesota.