The Columbus Aviators are going the Buckeye route, naming former Ohio State and NFL wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to be the first coach of the new UFL team.
A Cleveland native, Ginn Jr. was a three-time First-Team All-American for the Buckeyes. Acting primarily as a return specialist, he became a starter at wide receiver his sophomore year and later helped Ohio State reach the 2007 BCS national championship game.
“What excites me is being able to coach the game I’ve been playing for so long, especially being in a state and a city that raised me, birthed me [and] took care of me,” Ginn Jr. told the Dispatch. “To come back and take this opportunity, [it’s] going to be great.”
Selected ninth overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2007 draft, Ginn Jr.’s NFL career lasted 14 years and spanned six teams. He made two Super Bowl appearances, first as the primary return specialist for the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, then for the Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Ginn Jr. retired from the NFL in 2021.
He has no prior head coaching experience at the pro level, but the former Buckeye said he has helped a number of programs in his community, including Glenville High School, his high school alma mater, where his father, Ted Ginn Sr., coaches football and track.
Ginn Jr. also said he has valuable experience stemming from his organization Ginn Elite, a non-profit youth camp group dedicated to training young athletes from around the country.
“You just got to go out and continue to be who you are,” Ginn Jr. said of his new role. “Do right to the community, do right towards the players and try to build a winning culture.”
The new Aviators coach said he hopes to draw from, not just Ohio State, but also MAC teams like Akron, Miami (OH) and Toledo.
“For these guys to see that you got Ted Ginn Jr. as the head coach … some of these guys might have played for my dad and then went to one of these great colleges around here. They’re just given another opportunity for a kid to stay at home and still put on for themself,” Ginn Jr. said.
Ginn Jr. also received the endorsement of his coach at Ohio State, Jim Tressel, in an Aviators press release.
“Teddy will be a great influence on the young men and he will represent the Buckeye State and the UFL with class,” Tressel said. “Teddy is so excited to bring a great product to Central Ohio and make a difference in the community and on the game of football.”
Ginn Jr.’s Aviators will play their home games at Historic Crew Stadium. The UFL season starts on March 27.
