James Arthur Francis (12 December 1910 – 16 November 2004) was an Australian rules footballer and coach in the Victorian Football League (VFL). After playing 61 games for Hawthorn, Francis made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in round 9 of the 1934 season. Francis left the Hawks in controversial circumstances, due to a disagreement with the club and his family's sports store. Francis wanted the club to order their uniforms through his store, but when Hawthorn secretary Sam Ramsay refused, he asked for a clearance to Carlton. He retired as a player at the end of the 1943 season and was appointed coach of the Blues from 1956 to 1958. Under his tenure the Blues struggled despite having a good side on paper and Francis was sacked in 1958. Francis was bitter about the firing and never spoke to his former close friend and Carlton coaching successor Ken Hands again. Francis was appointed St Kilda Football Club senior coach for 1959–60, again achieving modest on-field results. His brothers John and Syd also played VFL football, both for Hawthorn.