Ted Ginn Jr. didn't sugarcoat his first season as a professional football coach. After watching his Columbus Aviators fall 42-27 to Louisville in their season finale, the former NFL star was brutally honest about the difference between preparing to play versus preparing to coach.
"I was always prepared to play the game. I never prepared to coach the game," Ginn said after the loss. "I had 10 weeks to really go out and see how to really be prepared to coach young men."
First-Year Coach Faces Reality Check
The Aviators finished 3-7 in their inaugural season, but Ginn's biggest challenge wasn't the record — it was the steep learning curve that came with his first professional coaching role. The team started 0-4, which created an immediate test of his leadership.
"Just coming out being 0-4, that's a challenge. Is the guys really listening to you? Is the guys really behind you? Your coaching staff really your coaching staff?" Ginn reflected.
Against Louisville, Columbus couldn't contain the Kings' rushing attack that piled up 205 yards on the ground. The Aviators trailed 28-21 at halftime before the game slipped away in the second half.
Home Success Story Despite Overall Struggles
While the Aviators couldn't find consistency on the road, they carved out a respectable 3-2 record at Historic Crew Stadium. More importantly, they built something special with their fan base that exceeded expectations for an expansion franchise.
"To beat the record that you have in most cities, people wouldn't show up. So for us to keep coming out every week and almost putting 5,000 to 9,000 people in seats, and they are joining and enjoying the festivities," Ginn said proudly.
The first-year coach embraced the community connection, regularly interacting with fans before games and participating in pregame festivities. His authentic approach helped establish the Aviators as more than just another spring football team in Columbus.
Rules and Preparation Challenges
Beyond the X's and O's, Ginn had to navigate the unique rule differences in the UFL compared to other levels of football. "I played for so many years under certain rules that go from the pros down to high school, college. But this is a whole total different type of beast at certain times," he explained.
When asked about potential rule changes, Ginn kept it simple: "Better refs." His deadpan delivery drew agreement from others in the room.
Looking Ahead to Year Two
Despite the growing pains, Ginn confirmed he'll return for the 2027 season and plans to use the offseason wisely. He expects to get back to work around February after spending time with family.
"It's just understanding the season. When I said that, it's so many seasons that's in this season. We had a preseason which you really was 0-2, you had a middle season, you had a chance to fight for playoffs, and then you got the ending," Ginn said.
The Aviators' foundation appears solid heading into year two, with strong fan support and a coach who's not afraid to learn from his mistakes. Ginn's honest assessment of his first season suggests Columbus could be much more competitive once their leader completes his crash course in professional coaching.