Former ACA Football Coach Chris Smelley Hired At Sylacauga

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Former American Christian Academy football standout and head football coach Chris Smelley has been hired by Sylacauga High School as its next head football coach.

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The decision was approved by the Sylacauga Board of Education and announced on Tuesday, as Smelley becomes the 22nd football coach in the school's 112-year history.

He will take over a program that finished 0-10 in AHSAA Class 5A in 2022, with last season representing the first in an decade that the Aggies didn't make the playoffs.

Smelley will fill the role left by coach Rob Carter, who led the Aggies to a 7-14 record over the previous two seasons. Carter was not retained as head coach following the 2022 season.

As Patch previously reported, Smelley cited personal reasons for stepping down as head coach at his alma mater in August 2021.

From 2014-2020, Smelley led the Patriots to three consecutive state quarterfinal appearances and a state semifinal appearance in 2020. Over this time, his teams won three consecutive region titles and averaged over 35 points per game.

After leaving ACA, Smelley was hired as quarterbacks coach at 7A Hoover High School for the 2022 season.

"After a very thorough search and interview process, we were able to land the best fit for Sylacauga High School football," Athletic Director Chad Wilkinson said. "We are excited to bring Chris Smelley and his family to Sylacauga. He is a players' coach and the type of person who will lead our student-athletes to go the extra mile."

Smelley — who played quarterback for legendary coach Steve Spurrier at South Carolina — has over a decade of coaching experience on his resume after starting his career as an assistant at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, before returning to ACA as its offensive coordinator in 2012.

"Coach Chris Smelley was unanimously chosen by the interview committee as the number one candidate for the head football coach position at Sylacauga High School," Superintendent Michele Eller said. "His proven track record as well as his character on and off the field are exactly what our athletes need to develop a program of excellence. I look forward to seeing our athletes soar under his leadership."

Sylacauga High plans to welcome Smelley with a special pep rally on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

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