Jim Kelson Position: Head Coach : 2007 SEC Coach of the Year

Jim Kelson's steady hand has the Tennessee men's golf program thriving.

The Vols are coming off a 12th-place national finish after advancing to NCAA regional competition for a school-best 10th consecutive season. And already this year, UT has captured the prestigious Carpet Capital Collegiate for the first time in school history and the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate in a scorecard playoff.

Kelson was hired in June 1998 and made almost immediate inroads toward success. The Vols missed the NCAAs that initial season but have been a regular participant ever since, advancing as far as the championship round four times.

Last season, Kelson guided the Vols to a top-five team finish in seven of their 12 tournaments played for the highest number of top-five showings in his coaching career. Four runner-up finishes -- the NCAA Northeast Regional included -- two thirds and a fifth-place result were testament to Tennessee's steady play throughout the season. Tennessee then challenged for a spot in the NCAA quarterfinal round of match-play but fell just a few strokes shy.

"We're proud of our team; they can hold their heads high," Kelson said of his 2008-09 contingent. "It wasn't the finish we wanted, but certainly we're proud of the effort they gave and it's something to build on."

Kelson has been building this program from the day he arrived on campus. The Vols have won 15 tournament championships in his 11-plus seasons. Five different campaigns produced multiple tourney titles -- 2001-02 (three), 2004-05 (three), 2006-07 (two), 2007-08 (two). UT also claimed hardware under Kelson in the 1998-99, 2000-01 and 2005-06 seasons.

One of the highlights was capturing the 2007 SEC Championship, Tennessee's first league crown in 17 years. At the event, UT finished with three players in the top-10, including two tied for second.

"The coaches were very proud of that team. We set this goal at the beginning of that year and worked hard at achieving it," Kelson said. "They paid the price to be successful and they deserved to win that championship. Their efforts, desire and their great team chemistry were a big part of our win."

Tennessee's SEC victory that year by two strokes over Alabama led to a plethora of well-deserved postseason awards. Kelson was honored with his first SEC Coach of the Year award, Philip Pettitt earned All-SEC first team honors, while Charlie Ford and Chris Paisley were named to the All-SEC second team.

Kelson's first tournament championship as Vols head coach came in that first fall of 1998 at the Crown Classic in Lufkin, Texas. It was UT's first title since 1996.

Under Kelson's instruction, six golfers posted collegiate bests and he also led sophomore Matt McWilliams and freshman Andrew Black to individual crowns. Those victories were the Vols' first since 1996.

Kelson's guidance continues to produce individual awards for his student-athletes both on and off the course.

Two more Vols earned All-America certificates under Kelson this past season, with Chris Paisley and David Holmes being named to the Ping honorable mention squad. Kelson coached David Skinns, Ross McGowan and Charlie Ford to previous All-America accolades.

Holmes was named a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar and joined James Brannen, Cameron Lawrence and Justin Walker on the Academic All-SEC team.

Paisley earned a European spot on this summer's Walker Cup team that played at Pennsylvania's Merion Country Club, and joined teammate Robin Wingardh on the victorious Palmer Cup squad that competed at Cherry Hills Country Club outside Denver.

Kelson, 46, hails from Dallas and graduated in 1987 with a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama. He earned his master's in exercise and sports science from the University of Florida in 1992.

Kelson's first head coach assignment was leading Augusta State's only Division I sport. He guided the Jaguars to four appearances in the NCAA championships from 1993-96 and five appearances in the NCAA East Regionals. His teams had 32 top-five finishes in 57regular-season tournaments.

Under Kelson's leadership, the Jaguars won at least one team championship every year he coached at Augusta State. The Jaguars captured 11 tournaments during his seven years as coach -- including a remarkable five during his final ASU season of 1997-98. Kelson was named NCAA Division I North Coach of the Year in 1993.

Prior to Augusta State, Kelson served as the assistant coach at Florida under former U.S. Amateur champion Buddy Alexander. Kelson helped recruit several of the golfers who helped the Gators finish runner-up at the 1993 NCAA Championships.

"Working under Buddy Alexander was an invaluable experience for me," Kelson said. "Buddy is regarded nationally as one of the finest coaches in collegiate golf, and his ability to relate to his players in a positive manner is something I always try to emulate."

Along with Alexander, Kelson also has worked with some of the most highly regarded teaching professionals in the world, including Conrad Rehling, Eddie Merrins, Bob Toski, Wally Armstrong, Chuck Cooke, Denis Pugh, Ernie Vaderson and Michael Shannon.

Kelson spent a year on the mini-tour in the Orlando area before assuming his position at Florida. He served as Alexander's assistant for three years before accepting the head coaching position at ASU.

Kelson also served as the assistant athletic director for compliance at Augusta.

Along with Kelson's studies at Alabama, he made time to compete on the links for the Crimson Tide for 21/2 years. He transferred to Alabama after his sophomore year from Oklahoma, where he was a member of the strong Sooner program that competed in the 1983 NCAA Championships.

His achievements on the course include winning the 1983 Oklahoma State Amateur and a third-place finish at the 1987 Bermuda Amateur, in addition to participating in the 1982 U.S. Amateur.

Kelson lives in Knoxville with his wife, the former Jinger Fry of Arlington, Texas.