Former Ohio State star Ted Ginn Jr. just gave Buckeye Nation a great reason to be thrilled with his first head coaching gig

Former Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. returns home to Columbus to become the new head coach of the UFL’s Aviators.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. , 7, out runs the last Indiana defensive player, Tracy Porter, 36, as he jumps into the end zone in the first half of their game at The Ohio Stadium Stadium, October 23, 2004.
Neal C. Lauron/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Earlier this year, we learned that Columbus would get its own United Football League team as part of a major reshuffling of the eight-team league. The team was dubbed the Aviators, and they now have a head coach for the 2026 season: former Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr.

Ted Ginn Jr. named head coach of UFL’s Columbus Aviators

This is a return to Columbus for Ginn, who played three seasons with the Buckeyes from 2004 to 2006. He was an explosive player for the Buckeyes, especially as a returner. Ginn ran back six punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns, including the opening kickoff in the national championship game against the Florida Gators.

He was the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and played for six teams over an extended career. His best season came with the Carolina Panthers in their 15-1 season, when they made the Super Bowl with 10 touchdowns on 44 receptions. Ginn also continued his dominance as a returner in the NFL with four punts and three kickoffs for touchdowns.

“Today marks a new milestone in my football journey,” said Ginn. “When I heard that the United Football League was going to have a football team in Columbus, I wanted to be a part of creating a new winning tradition in this city that is such an important part of my life. I can’t wait to start building this team, and I ask football fans throughout the state to join the Aviators as they take flight.”

It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Ginn wants to get into coaching. His dad, Ted Ginn Sr., is a legendary coach at Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He just won the school’s third state championship in the last four seasons and holds a record of 275-69.

Ginn will take over a new franchise in the UFL, and he will have his hands full piecing together a new team when the UFL season begins this spring.

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