In a sigh of relief and hope, the missing Sylacauga Head Football Coach has been found safe. This uplifting news ignites curiosity as we embark on uncovering the details surrounding his disappearance and safe return. Join us as we delve into this story, unraveling the mystery and celebrating the joyous outcome.
Missing Sylacauga Head Football Coach Found Safe
Chris Smelley, the head football coach of Sylacauga High School, was reported missing in Florida the same morning, but he was found safe on Thursday evening.
Smelley went fishing in his blue and black kayak in the Gulf of Mexico near Grayton Beach at around 8:30 a.m., according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, but he was never seen again. Smelley was located miles away from the coast, according to the sheriff’s office. When he was discovered, he was apparently in a happy mood.
A Coast Guard helicopter saw him two miles off Grayton Beach, still in his kayak, at 7:12 p.m. A friend was informed to arrange for a boat to pick up Smelley. Jet skis were in the water as the sheriff’s office and the South Walton Fire District conducted a search of the area.
UPDATE: Sylacauga High School Head Football Coach Chris Smelley was located safe by the US Coast Guard, confirmed by the Walton County Sheriff's Office around 7:30 p.m. https://t.co/kiD8mDX5NX
— WTVY News 4 (@WTVYNews4) March 29, 2024
The safe return of Smelley is being celebrated by the community. Chris Theilacker, the Sylacauga Football Chaplin said, “He is just a tremendous man, a great leader in the community. He loves our students you can see a passion in what he does.”
Out of New Orleans, the U.S. Coast Guard participated in the search with an NH60 Jayhawk helicopter and a small boat. A helicopter was also dispatched by the Bay County Sheriff’s office to assist in the search.
First Baptist Church of Sylacauga is praying for the safe return of Coach Chris Smelley. @abc3340https://t.co/OJqXt2c7sH pic.twitter.com/t5797URvoq
— Megan Scarano ABC 33/40 (@MScaranoNews) March 28, 2024
Crews were ready to work through the night if necessary, according to a rep for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. According to Corey Dobridnia, the public information officer, although the ocean seemed calm, individuals were having trouble returning to shore because of the wind.
The swimsuit Smelley was last seen in had a camouflage print. Neither a life jacket nor a phone were with him during the journey. According to the sheriff’s office, Smelley’s outing was only intended to last an hour.
According to the sheriff’s office, Florida Fish and Wildlife also launched from the inlet at Destin Pass and is currently traveling eastward toward Grayton.
Smelley is a former quarterback at the University of South Carolina who was coached by Steve Spurrier from 2006 to 2008. In addition, he played baseball at the University of Alabama from 2009 to 2010. Smelley is a native of Tuscaloosa and has two children with his wife.