The Columbus Aviators are a professional American football team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Aviators compete in the United Football League (UFL). The team began play on March 29, 2026, and is currently owned and operated by a consortium led by Mike Repole. The Aviators play their home games at Historic Crew Stadium, in Columbus, Ohio.
History The team was announced in July 2025, following the UFL's intended relocation of multiple teams. On October 7, 2025, it was announced that the team would be called the Columbus Aviators, due to the region's tie with the aeronautics industry and the state of Ohio's slogan as the "birthplace of aviation." The Aviators brand was the last holdover trademark the UFL had from one of its corporate predecessors, The Spring League; the Web site UFL News Hub had accurately predicted the establishment of a Columbus Aviators team as early as April. On December 17, 2025, the Aviators named former Ohio State Buckeye and NFL Wide Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. as the team's head coach.
Market overview The Aviators are the only professional football team in Columbus, and the first professional outdoor team to play in the region since the short-lived Ohio Glory in the World League, which played one season in 1992. Columbus is home to three major professional sports teams: Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, Columbus Blue Jackets in National Hockey League, and Columbus Fury in Major League Volleyball. Additionally, Columbus is home to two minor league teams, Columbus Crew 2 (soccer) and the Columbus Clippers (AAA baseball), in MLS Next Pro and the International League, respectively.
The market is also heavily influenced by the collegiate teams from Ohio State University, the Buckeyes. Repole expressed a desire to recruit heavily from Ohio State alumni for the team and hired XFL and Ohio State alumnus Cardale Jones as a community ambassador, a role Jones stated that he "had no clue what that means" but hoped would involve a say in the team's "back-end decision-making."
Current roster Players
Staff Columbus Aviators staffHead coach Head coach – Ted Ginn Jr.
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Todd Haley Running backs – Bob Saunders Wide receivers – Tito Overton Offensive line – Ronnie Vinklarek Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Captain Munnerlyn Defensive line – Curtis Terry Linebackers – Larry Grant Defensive backs – Rasul Spain
Player history
Current NFL players SeasonPosNameNFL team2026DEJacoby WindmonPittsburgh Steelers2026WRTay MartinDetroit Lions2026WRAntwane Wells Jr.Atlanta Falcons
Notable players SeasonPosNameNotes2026–presentCBCam SmithFormer Miami Dolphins Cornerback, 2023 2nd Round Pick
Coach history
Head coaches #CoachTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwardsGCWLWin %GCWLColumbus Aviators1Ted Ginn Jr.2026–present936—————Todd Haley2026*101———— *Haley served as Week 3 interim Head Coach.
Offensive coordinators #CoachTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwardsGCWLWin %GCWLColumbus Aviators1Todd Haley2026–present1037————
Defensive coordinators #CoachTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwardsGCWLWin %GCWLColumbus Aviators1Captain Munnerlyn2026–present1037————
Season by season record
UFL champions† (2024–present)Conference champions* Division champions^Wild Card berth#
SeasonTeamLeagueConferenceDivisionRegular seasonPostseason resultsAwardsHead coachesPct.Finish20262026UFL8th37——Ted Ginn Jr.Todd HaleyTotal37All-time regular season record (2026–)00All-time postseason record (2026–)37All-time regular season and postseason record (2026–)
Franchise matchup history As of 2026 UFL season +TeamRecordPct.Birmingham Stallions1–1Dallas Renegades1–1DC Defenders0–1Houston Gamblers1–1Louisville Kings0–1Orlando Storm0–1St. Louis Battlehawks0–1
Records All-time Aviators leadersLeaderPlayerRecordYears with AviatorsPassing yardsJalan McClendon1,376 passing yards2026–presentPassing touchdownsJalan McClendon8 passing touchdowns2026–presentRushing yardsToa Taua311 rushing yards2026–presentRushing touchdownsZaQuandre White4 rushing touchdowns2026–presentReceiving yardsTay Martin483 receiving yards2026–presentReceiving touchdownsKeke Chism3 receiving touchdowns2026–presentReceptionsTay Martin42 receptions2026–presentTacklesTony Fields II77 tackles2026–presentSacksRon Stone5.5 sacks2026–presentInterceptionsDJ Miller Jr3 interceptions2026–presentCoaching winsTed Ginn Jr.3 wins2026–present
References
External links