From Tribune staff reports
WALTON COUNTY, FL. — A search for an Alabama high school football coach headed out to fish in his kayak and didn’t return had the best possible outcome. Sylacauga High School Coach Chris Smelley was found safe.
The U.S. Coast Guard out of Mobile located Smelley about 2 miles off shore.
Walton County Sheriff’s Office reported earlier Thursday that deputies were searching for a missing kayaker in the Gulf of Mexico off Grayton Beach.
“Chris Smelley, 37, went fishing in his blue and black kayak around 8:30 am and has not returned,” officials said at the time the search began. “WCSO and South Walton Fire District have jet skis in the water off of Grayton Beach searching for Chris.”
Smelley is the former quarterback for South Carolina and the current football coach at Sylacauga High School. He played high school football for American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa.
His younger brother, Brad Smelley, played tight end for Alabama under Nick Saban.
Multiple agencies participated in the search.
Eariler sources indicated Smelley was 15 miles offshore. The U.S. Coast Guard report listed the location as approximately 2 miles off shore.