Jack Kelley began playing hockey in the 1940’s at Belmont High School in Boston. In 1949 he competed on an AHAUS team and attended Boston University, leading the Terriers to the NCAA finals in both 1950 and 1951. He was also named their most valuable player and all-ECAC in 1952. Kelley coached at Weston High School in the Boston area upon graduation from college, handling football, baseball and hockey teams.

From 1955 to 1962 he guided Colby College to the upper echelon of ECAC hockey. The lure of coaching his alma mater brought Kelley back to BU in 1962, and there his teams won NCAA championships in 1971 and 1972 and six Beanpot tournaments, and he brought the Terriers to four NCAA tournaments altogether over a 10-year span. Kelley’s overall college coaching record was 303-147-13. He was selected as NCAA Coach of the Year in 1962 and New England Coach of the Year five times.

When the rebel WHA organized, Kelley formed the Whalers franchise and helped U.S. and collegiate players obtain professional opportunities. His team was East Division champions three times and they won the AVCO Cup playoff title in 1973. Kelley was the first coach to win championships on both the college and professional levels. Amassing a pro record of 77-55-6, Kelley then turned his attention to the Detroit Red Wings’ affiliate organization at Glens Falls, NY, where he ran the civic center. In 1993 Kelley was hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he today serves as the team’s chief operating officer, overseeing the day-to-day operation of the franchise.

Kelley is currently a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee and is a member of four (U.S. Hockey, BU, Whalers and Belmont High School) Halls of Fame.

Jack and his wife Virginia have three sons and a daughter.