Alabama assistant coach thankful that his boss, friend found safe at sea [Video]

(WDHN) — An Alabama assistant high school football coach was thankful his boss was found safe at sea Thursday night.

Chris Smelley, the head football coach at Sylacauga High School, went missing after he left Grayton Beach, Fla. at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday for a fishing trip in his black and blue kayak. A search for Smelley began that afternoon after the WCSO and South Walton Fire and Rescue could not contact him.

“As soon as I got offshore, just a little bit, I knew I was in trouble,” Smelley said. “The wind, once right off shore was blowing hard.”

When one of Smelley’s assistant coaches got the news it sent a shockwave through the Sylacauga locker room.

“We were at the baseball field, and I got the phone call,” Sylacauga Linebackers Coach, Stephen Strickland said. “They asked me if I heard the news about Coach Smelley, and it was something. …