Virginia Military Institute has hired Tony Skiles as its new men’s and women’s head cross country coach. Zack Scott, the VMI director of track and field and cross country, announced the hire last Wednesday. Skiles replaces Matthew Scott, who coached the Keydets for the last two seasons.
Skiles most recently coached at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark., where he served as head men’s and women’s cross country and track coach since 2022. There he established the largest cross country team in over a decade, set expectations for the athletes’ performance in class and on the team, secured victories in two meets and achieved 19 school records in a single year. He also developed the fastest women’s team in program history.
“I am excited to welcome Coach Skiles, his wife Kristen and their children to VMI,” Scott said. “Coach Skiles brings both energy and technical expertise to our cross country and track programs, along with a proven track record of successfully recruiting high-quality studentathletes into smaller programs. I look forward to his contributions in helping us fill key gaps, add depth and continue building a competitive and well-rounded team.”
Prior to the Ozarks, Skiles coached the 2022 season at Finlandia University in Hancock, Mich., where he collaborated with enrollment services to develop a new cross country program.
From 2020-22, Skiles served as head men’s and women’s cross country and track coach at University of the Southwest in Hobbs, New Mexico, where he scheduled recruiting visits and events on campus, collaborated with the department on COVID protocols, assisted graduate assistants with workouts and recruiting.
Skiles was the head cross country and track and field Coach at Cottey College (Nevada, Mo.) from 2017-20, overseeing all recruitment, maintaining the team social media platforms and organizing a cross country summer camp and two home meets. He helped the school in its transition from the National Junior College Athletic Association to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
He also served as head men’s and women’s cross country coach at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village, Nev. from 2015-16 and as the head men’s and women’s cross country and assistant track coach at Albright College (Reading, Pa.) from 2013-15.
His collegiate coaching career began at the University of West Florida from 2011-13 as an assistant men’s and women’s cross country coach.
Skiles received a bachelor’s degree in political science, as well as a bachelor’s degree in history, from Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pa. in 2010.
VMI’s first meet this season will be the Spider Alumni Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 30 in Richmond. For VMI’s schedule and updates, visit www.vmikeydets. com.
