ACA's Smelley Resigns As Football Coach, Citing Personal Reasons

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Patch has confirmed that the American Christian Academy Patriots are in the midst of a coaching change after football coach Chris Smelley resigned his position effective immediately on Tuesday. The news comes less than a month before the start of the 2021 season.

"I’ve been at ACA for most of my life as either a student and now teaching and coaching for the last 10 years, and I love the school and especially the football players who I have been blessed to coach," Smelley told Patch on Tuesday. "But I did resign today for personal reasons."

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WVUA 23's Gary Harris was first to report that ACA Defensive Coordinator Cody Martin will now serve as interim head coach. The reason for Smelley's resignation from the private school has not been made public at this time.

Smelley went on to express pride in the success of the program during his time at ACA and said he knows that it is in good hands moving forward.

"I had the pleasure of working with so many unbelievable people, and I wish them all the best," he said.

Smelley has served as his alma mater's head football coach since 2014.

The Patriots enter the 2021 season ranked No. 4 in ASHAA Class 4A after coming off a 13-1 season that saw ACA go undefeated in 4A Region 3.

ACA will open the upcoming season on Aug. 20 on the road against Parker.

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