Coach arrested, Aviators fall
Columbus Aviators head coach Ted Ginn Jr. was arrested on a DWI charge in Euless, Texas on Saturday and the team lost 28‑23 to the Dallas Renegades, leaving Columbus 0‑3 in its inaugural UFL season ( ). Local reports say Ginn was booked in Tarrant County and offensive coordinator Todd Haley took over coaching duties for the game ( ).
Ted Ginn Jr., the Columbus Aviators’ first head coach, was arrested on a driving while intoxicated charge in Euless, Texas, on Saturday before Sunday’s game in North Texas. (dispatch.com) The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office told local outlets Ginn was booked Saturday after an arrest by Euless police, and The Dallas Morning News reported he was stopped at 12:58 a.m. for traffic violations before officers began a driving while intoxicated investigation. (news5cleveland.com; usatoday.com) Offensive coordinator Todd Haley handled head coaching duties Sunday, and Columbus lost 28-23 to the Dallas Renegades at Toyota Stadium, dropping the Aviators to 0-3. (dispatch.com; theufl.com) The timing hit a brand-new franchise in its first month. The Aviators are one of three new United Football League teams for 2026, and they play their home games at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus. (theufl.com; theufl.com) Ginn was hired on Dec. 17, 2025, to lead the expansion club, with the league leaning on his Ohio State and National Football League profile to introduce the team in Columbus. Haley, his top offensive assistant, brought prior National Football League head coaching experience onto the staff. (theufl.com; theufl.com; theufl.com) On Sunday, Columbus led early but could not finish the upset. The Dispatch reported the Aviators built a 17-6 lead before Dallas rallied, and the league’s game page shows Columbus’s last touchdown cut the margin to five with 1:58 left. (dispatch.com; theufl.com) After the arrest, UFL president and chief executive officer Russ Brandon said the league had been made aware of the incident and was gathering more information. Ginn later said in a statement that he took “full responsibility” and called it “a serious mistake.” (dispatch.com; dispatch.com) The next question is whether Columbus gets Ginn back on the sideline quickly or spends longer with Haley in charge. For now, the Aviators leave Texas still looking for the first win of their first season. (dispatch.com; theufl.com)
