Tony Skiles enters his second season as VMI's Head Cross Country Coach and distance coach for track and field following his hire in August in advance of the 2025 campaign.
His first 2026 track and field season was highlighted by sophomore Reagan Gilman earning All-Conference honors in the 800 meter during botht the indoor and outdoor season as she placed third in the finals at both events. During the 2025 cross country season, junior Jillian Sisk took 20th place overall at the SoCon Championship while Gilman was close behind in 22nd place. On the men's side, senior Ben Hagerich took 23rd place to lead the men's squad at the SoCon meet.
Skiles comes to the Institute by way of The University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, where he served as Head Men's and Women's Cross Country/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.
Prior to Ozarks, Skiles coached the 2022 season at Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan, 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/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 Coach/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 NJCAA to the NAIA.
He also served as Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village, Nevada from 2015-16 and as the Head Men's and Women's Cross Country/Assistant Track Coach at Albright College (Reading, Pa.) from 2013-15.
His collegiate coaching career began at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida, from 2011-13 as an Assistant Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach.
Skiles owns the following certifications:
- USATF Level 1
- USATF Level 2 (Jumps)
- First Aid/CPC
He received a bachelor's degree in political science as well as a bachelor's degree in history from Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in 2010.
