itheir just got handed down an ipad is there any way that I could hack jelly bean onto it?
no
Yes, you can get it on there if you really want.
Have a look at OpeniBoot. Think that can do what you are asking.
I haven't tried this myself but it can be done. Just it may not run as well as the iOS does considering iOS is designed for the hardware it is running on unlike android that will be trying to adapt to the hardware.
Buy Jelly beans, open the bag, and pour them onto your ipad. Simple as that.
If you have an android phone, Dont bother. Just use it for what its capable. (If I had one I would just use it to watch anime and movies in bed) If you really want an android experience on it, Just jailbreak it, Throw an android winterboard theme on it and call it a day. It is so easy to brick an ios device if your doing something not done a lot. If your still set on android, Sell the ipad and get a galaxy note 10.1
What if he wants to use Ice Cream Sandwich instead?
Buy another iPad, make an ice-cream sandwich except instead of bread use the iPads. Make sure to get some ice cream in the volume rocker and power switches, the iPad runs faster if you do that.
iOS on a tablet isn't that bad. Few people make extensive use of tablets. Most - like myself - use it only for content consumption, a phone is much more useful than a tablet, tablets kinda become old news pretty fast. I would just keep iOS on it and think it's MIUI or something lol
Just sell the iPad for like $230 and buy the new Nexus 7.
Heres an artical to answer your question.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/OpeniBoot-brings-Android-to-iPad-iPhone-4-and-iPod-Touch_id14636
But I wouldnt bother. Just sell it.