Ted Ginn Jr. gets major update after DWI arrest

The Columbus Aviators are handing the keys to the franchise right back to their rookie head coach, as Ted Ginn Jr. is set to return to the sidelines for Friday’s upcoming matchup against the Dallas Renegades after missing a week due to a DWI arrest. The decision answers the biggest question looming over the UFL’s winless franchise, confirming that the league values accountability over a drastic mid-season coaching change, even as the Aviators desperately search for their first victory of the year.

According to a league spokesperson who spoke directly with The Columbus Dispatch, the United Football League is fully supporting Ginn and will officially move forward with him as the head coach of the Columbus franchise. The timeline of events began in the early hours of Thursday, April 11. Ginn was pulled over at 12:58 a.m. for traffic violations in Tarrant County, Texas. After the stop, a local officer conducted a DWI investigation and arrested Ginn. The former wide receiver was subsequently released after posting a $1,000 bond.

The immediate fallout forced Columbus to make a rapid adjustment. With Ginn sidelined for the weekend, offensive coordinator Todd Haley was tapped to serve as the interim head coach for the team’s April 12 road game. The Aviators put up a fight but ultimately dropped a 28-23 decision to the Renegades, pushing their record to an ugly 0-3 to start their inaugural season.

Ginn did not hide from the reality of the situation. By Friday, he issued a public statement on social media, making it clear that he was not looking to deflect blame for the incident. “I made a serious mistake and take full responsibility for my actions,” Ginn wrote to his followers on X. “I’ve always believed in accountability and now it’s my turn to live that standard.”

1. Facing the Locker Room

Taking accountability online is one thing, but facing a locker room of professional football players who are grinding through an 0-3 start is an entirely different challenge. Ginn addressed the Columbus roster directly on Sunday, April 14, stepping in front of the team to clear the air before resuming his normal duties. “This is my mistake, this is my fault,” Ginn told his players, according to his conversation with The Dispatch. “Don’t let it hinder or mislead what we’re trying to build here.” The response from the locker room, according to Ginn, was overwhelmingly positive. Players approached him individually after the meeting to offer their support, reinforcing a foundational level of respect that the 41-year-old coach has managed to build in his short tenure. Ginn expressed deep appreciation for Haley’s willingness to step into the interim role on incredibly short notice, calling his offensive coordinator “the best person to put in that spot.”

2. The Weight of the Name

For Ginn, coaching is practically the family business, making a public misstep sting just a little bit more. He leaned on his family in the aftermath of the arrest, specifically consulting his father, Ted Ginn Sr., the legendary head football and track coach at Cleveland Glenville High School. The elder Ginn is an institution in Ohio sports, known for molding young men and sending countless prospects to the Division I ranks and the NFL. Navigating a public mistake while carrying that last name in Ohio is a heavy burden, and the younger Ginn acknowledged the complex emotions his parents felt about the situation. “It’s a lot of accountability that you have to take on by yourself,” Ginn explained. “The support I got from my mom and dad… they’re happy that you’re here, they’re happy nobody got hurt, but you still get criticism, and if you didn’t get that, they wouldn’t love you.” Ginn was adamant that he wasn’t looking for sympathy from the public or the media. “They’re just trying to treat me as a man,” Ginn continued. “It’s a burden on the name, it’s a burden on us as leaders, and as a human, I’m sorry. I’m not looking for nobody to come pat me on the back or put me in a situation where this is cool. I still need to move forward and try to bring some awareness to this, no matter if it was my fault or not, and that’s just where I’m at with it.”

3. From the Gridiron to the Headset

The UFL’s decision to retain Ginn keeps a massive football personality involved in the league’s growth. Hired by the Aviators in December 2025, Ginn entered the UFL with zero prior head-coaching experience. What he lacked in clipboard time, however, he made up for with an immense playing resume. A former Ohio State superstar, Ginn was an electric playmaker for three years under Jim Tressel. His game-breaking speed turned him into the No. 9 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. From there, Ginn carved out an incredibly resilient 14-year NFL career as both a wide receiver and a lethal return specialist. Over a decade in the league, Ginn suited up for a diverse list of franchises. Following his time in Miami, he spent time catching passes and returning kicks for the San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, and Chicago Bears. Surviving 14 years in the NFL requires an immense amount of football intelligence, adaptability, and locker room savvy. These are the traits the UFL clearly hopes will eventually translate into coaching success for the Columbus franchise. The immediate future for Ginn and the Aviators involves finding a way to actually win a football game. Columbus currently sits at the bottom of the UFL standings alongside the Louisville Kings. “We’re 0-3, but I feel like we’re the best 0-3 team in the league,” Ginn noted. “To be able to turn it around in some type of way will be great.” The Aviators posted a video to their social media channels on Tuesday, showing Ginn back at practice, actively coaching and encouraging his players with his trademark energy. Up next, Columbus will look to secure its first victory in franchise history when the team hosts the Dallas Renegades on Friday, April 17. With the off-field drama now officially addressed and his job security intact, Ginn will have the opportunity to prove that his team’s culture is strong enough to weather an early-season storm.