Ohio State great Ted Ginn Jr. to coach UFL team in Columbus

Former Ohio State standout Ted Ginn Jr. was named the first head coach of the United Football League's Columbus Aviators on Wednesday.

Ginn, 40, was a receiver and return specialist for the 2006 Buckeyes team that reached the BCS national title game.

He scored touchdowns as a receiver (15), rusher (three), punt returner (six), kickoff returner (two) and passer (one) during his time at Ohio State from 2004-06.

"Ted Ginn Jr. represents everything that is great about football in the Buckeye state," UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon said in a news release. "A proven winner, Ted combines a winning performance on the field and a deep knowledge of the game with tremendous pride for his home state.

"We look forward to Ted not only building the foundation of the Columbus Aviators, but also writing a new chapter in the history of Ohio football."

Drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the ninth overall pick in 2007, Ginn played in 193 NFL games over 14 seasons for six teams.

The Cleveland native retired after the 2020 season with 5,742 receiving yards and 33 touchdown catches. He added four scores on punt returns and three on kickoff returns and racked up 15,742 all-purpose yards.

"Today marks a new milestone in my football journey," Ginn said. "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."

The Aviators will begin their inaugural season this spring.

--Field Level Media