The Columbus Aviators feature a fascinating coaching staff. Led by first-time Head Coach Ted Ginn Jr., this team has some serious firepower when it comes to local, recognizable names that the team can market.
Whether or not that will translate to wins, though, is another story. The Aviators are entering their first season as a franchise, with three teams being relocated/moved.
Ginn has constructed a rather strong coaching staff ahead of the 2026 UFL season – so let’s break it all down.
Head Coach: Ted Ginn Jr.
Time will tell as to how Ginn will fare as a Head Coach for the first time. Ginn has essentially no experience as a coach at any level yet, but his NFL playing resume speaks for itself:
- Miami Dolphins: First Round Draft Pick In 2007
- Carolina Panthers: Part of Super Bowl Team in 2015
- 5,742 receiving yards, 33 receiving scores in NFL
- 9,542 return yards, 7 return TD’s in NFL
- 3x First Team All-American at Ohio State
He’s very committed to helping this Columbus team “Take Flight”, and Ted certainly has the roster to do so.
Offensive Coordinator: Todd Haley
Folks, he’s back. Todd Haley has officially returned to spring football, this time as an Offensive Coordinator. Haley served as the Tampa Bay Bandits and Memphis Showboats Head Coach in the USFL, from 2022-2023. Across that span, he went 9-11, without any playoff appearances. Haley departed from the USFL prior to their merger with the XFL.
Todd needs no introduction when it comes to his NFL resume. He kicked off his NFL coaching career as a Wide Receivers coach for the Jets in 1997, and by 2007, he was the Offensive Coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, who went to a Super Bowl. Haley then served as Kansas City’s Head Coach from 2009-2011.
Todd notably had success as the Offensive Coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers, coaching Ben Roethlisberger. He’s a veteran coach, who will undoubtedly help Ginn run and structure this team and organization.
Defensive Coordinator: Captain Munnerlyn
In what is a unique choice at DC, the Aviators will feature Captain Munnerlyn calling the defensive plays. Munnerlyn is a former teammate of Ginn, with the Carolina Panthers.
Captain was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Captain played for over 10 years in the NFL, racking up 529 tackles, 10.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, 64 pass deflections, and 12 interceptions, to go along with six defensive touchdowns. He also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.
Captain recently stepped into coaching. He was an assistant coach for Myers Park High School from 2023-2024, and has been Chambers High School’s Head Coach since 2025. The team went 5-7 during the 2025 season.
Wide Receivers: Jordan “Tito” Overton
Tito is a strong pickup for this Aviators coaching unit. He’s been a wide receivers coach the last several years, beginning his coaching career at Franklin College. Overton quickly moved up the ranks, taking a gig at Dayton in 2021. Over the past few years, Tito has had stints at Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, and Indiana State. Notably, Texas Tech had three 600-plus wide receivers in 2024 under his watch.
Running Backs/Tight Ends: Bob Saunders
Re-uniting with Todd Haley is Bob Saunders, who joins this Aviators coaching staff after spending a couple of years in the USFL (Tampa Bay, Memphis). Bob was Haley’s Offensive Coordinator with the Showboats in 2023. Saunders has experience in the NFL with the Redskins, Chiefs, Rams, and Browns – primarily working as an offensive assistant. He notably spent time with wide receivers – hence why Haley is also giving Bob the role of “Passing Game Coordinator” with the Aviators.
Interestingly enough, Saunders won a UFL Championship in 2011, as the Wide Receivers Coach for Marty Schottenheimer with the Virginia Destroyers.
Offensive Line: Ronnie Vinklarek
There aren’t a lot of coaches in the UFL who have more experience than Ronnie Vinklarek. Ronnie was lined up to be the San Antonio Toros Head Coach in the Continental Football League, before Ginn and the UFL came calling. He took the gig, and now returns to pro football with the Aviators. Ronnie has had stints in the NFL, NCAA, XFL, and CFL. He was notably the Offensive Line coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2001-2003.
Defensive Line: Curtis Terry Sr.
Curtis Terry is a fun pickup for Columbus. The former Ohio State linebacker has spent the last several years of his career as a coach, notably as a Defensive Coordinator for Central State and Bluefield State. Terry most recently was a Defensive Coordinator at Florida Memorial University. Curtis also spent some time at Glenville High School, the alma mater for both him and Ted Ginn Jr. – now Head Coach in Columbus.
Linebackers & Special Teams: Larry Grant
Larry Grant is a Columbus legend, and now makes his way back to Columbus on Ted Ginn’s coaching staff. As a player, Larry racked up two BCS title appearances at Ohio State. He was drafted by the 49ers in 2008, and spent a few years in the NFL, also with the Rams and Bears.
Grant had a ridiculous 15 blocked kicks throughout his career, which is the type of pedigree he brings to the table as a special teams coordinator. Larry doesn’t have a ton of coaching experience, but he was recently a Defensive Analyst at UNLV.
Defensive Backs: Rasul Spain
Rasul Spain is one of the most interesting additions to this roster. He’s hardly coached at any level, but has been Ginn’s right hand man with his youth developmental football team in Ohio as a trainer. Spain also was an assistant coach at Glenville High School.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt about it: the Columbus Aviators will be a fascinating team to watch in 2026. They’ve got a unique structure on the coaching staff, with a mix of veterans in the background – but primarily led by first-time or second-time coaches.
If you want to watch it all unfold on the football field this season – what are you waiting for? Secure your Aviators season tickets here.
What are your thoughts on the Columbus Aviators 2026 UFL Coaching Staff? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
