Sylacauga High School Football Coach Reported Missing after Kayaking Trip in Gulf of Mexico

Walton County, Florida - The Walton County Sheriff's Office is actively searching for Chris Smelley, the head football coach at Sylacauga High School, who went missing after going kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico off Grayton Beach. Smelley, 37, was last seen on Thursday, March 28, when he went fishing at approximately 8:30 a.m. and failed to return.

Smelley is described as a 6'3" tall man weighing 202 lbs. He was last seen wearing a camo swimsuit and was using a blue and black kayak. Unfortunately, Smelley did not have a phone, a life jacket, or any distress devices, according to Petty Officer 3rd Class Jaiden Hartley.

The last known sighting of Smelley was at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, about 1.5 miles off the beach. In response to his disappearance, multiple resources have been deployed to aid in the search efforts. The United States Coast Guard of Mobile has been notified and Florida Fish and Wildlife is en route to Grayton Beach to offer assistance.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have sighted Smelley or his kayak to contact the Walton County Sheriff's Office at 850-892-8111. The search is ongoing, and concerned community members are encouraged to come forward with any information that may help locate Smelley and bring him to safety.