Ted Ginn Jr., head coach of the Columbus Aviators, was arrested in the Dallas area on Saturday on a charge of driving while intoxicated, casting a shadow over the team’s weekend matchup. The arrest happened in Euless, where Ginn was booked around 3:30 p.m., then released after posting a $1,000 bond. With the Aviators scheduled to face Dallas at noon on Sunday, offensive coordinator Todd Haley is stepping in to handle head coaching duties while the team and league sort through the fallout.
Arrest confirmed by local authorities
According to CW Columbus, a spokesperson for the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office said the Euless Police Department arrested Ginn and booked him at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The outlet reports that Ginn posted a $1,000 bond and was released, and notes that ABC 6 reporter Kierstin Lindkvist was credited with the initial coverage. Both the Aviators and the United Football League confirmed they had been contacted about the incident and said they were working to gather more information.
Ginn’s coaching role and background
Ted Ginn Jr. was hired this season to lead the Aviators after a long NFL playing career and an established local profile in Ohio, as previously reported when he was appointed head coach of Columbus Aviators. An ESPN feature on the UFL’s new coaches detailed Ginn’s return to Columbus and the staff he put together, including veteran assistant Todd Haley. That context helps explain why his sudden absence is such a big storyline for the Aviators locker room and their fans on game weekend.
What a Texas DWI charge can mean
Driving while intoxicated is a criminal offense in Texas, defined in Texas Penal Code §49.04, and the penalties can vary widely depending on the circumstances. The Texas Department of Public Safety says convictions and related administrative actions can include suspension of a driver’s license, mandatory alcohol education programs, installation of an ignition interlock device, fines, and potential jail time for misdemeanor convictions. What Ginn may ultimately face will depend on local charging decisions, any test results, and whether prosecutors pursue enhanced penalties.
Game-day and league response
In a statement to CW Columbus, UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon said, "We are aware of an incident involving Head Coach Ted Ginn Jr. over the weekend and are in the process of gathering more information," and confirmed that Haley would run the Aviators' sideline on Sunday. The club said it is cooperating with local authorities while continuing preparations for the game. Any discipline or additional action by the league could come later, depending on the outcome of the local investigation and any formal filings.
Sunday's game is still set for noon with Haley calling plays, and the team says tickets and broadcast plans are unchanged. The Aviators maintain that their immediate focus is getting players ready to compete, and this story will be updated as more details emerge from team officials and Tarrant County authorities.
