Jim Kelly enters his 28th year at the helm of the Hendrix men's and women's swimming and diving programs.  He is also a professor in the Kinesiology Department and teaches Anatomy and Kinesiology.  During his tenure, Hendrix swimmers have won numerous conference and national honors; in the pool and in the classroom.  Kelly has coached 80 All-Americans, as well as many conference champions and All-conference selections.  He is known for his innovative approach to coaching.

Kelly is a native of Rutland, Vermont.  He swam for St. Bonaventure University (St. Bonaventure, N.Y.) while studying for a bachelor's degree in Physical Education.  He went on to earn a master's degree from Springfield College (Springfield, Mass.).

After a brief stint of teaching and coaching, Kelly served in the Air Force.  His first collegiate coaching position was at Genesee Community College (Batavia, N.Y.).  This was followed by a stint at State University College (Potsdam, N.Y.).  There he coached his team to a conference crown and was named State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Coach-of-the-Year.  Following that experience, Kelly went to Appalachian State University (Boone, N.C.).

Kelly came to Hendrix in 1982.  His various experiences, as a high school, club and college coach have contributed to his creative, but scientific approach.  He served on the College Swim Coaches Association (CSCA) board, and was recognized for his coaching by two national awards, specifically the CSCA-Master Coach Award.  He was also recognized as the Coach-of-the-Year in both the AIC and NSISL in 1984, 1986 and 1989.  He has seen the transition of the program nationally from the NAIA to the NCAA-Division III level.  On the conference level the switch has been from the old Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) to the NSISL, and eventually to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC).  In addition Coach Kelly has been the Coach of the Aquakids, a USA club team, and now serves as coordinator of the team.

Jim and his wife Robyn reside in Conway and enjoy time with their children and grandchildren.

Allyson Hannan enters her first season as the men's and women's swimming and diving assistant.  Hannan was a top national competitor throughout her career at Drury University (Springfield, Mo.).  She was a 12 time All-American and top finisher in the 200 freestyle her senior year.  Hannan was also the former record holder in the 200 free for Drury.  She earned her bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology and Sports Management from Drury in the spring of 2002.

Following her collegiate career, Hannan returned to her home state of California and began coaching.  She guided Troy High School (Fullerton, Calif.) in back-to-back men’s and women’s league titles and finished her high school career with a 24-0 women’s record and 23-1 men’s record.