Clarksville, Ark.-Anthony J. "Tony" Skiles, who has more than 10 years of collegiate head coaching experience, has been named the new men's and women's cross country and track coach at University of the Ozarks, Athletics Director Jimmy Clark announced Monday.

Skiles will begin at Ozarks in early December.

Skiles most recently served as the head men's and women's cross country coach at Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan. He has also been a head coach at University of the Southwest in New Mexico, Cottey College in Missouri, Sierra Nevada College in Nevada and Albright College in Pennsylvania as well as an assistant coach at University of West Florida.

"I want to thank Jimmy Clark and everyone who was part of the interview process," Skiles said. "I am very humbled and thankful to be able to come to the University of Ozarks and to be part of the Ozarks family. I am excited about the future of the program and see where we can take the program to. The sky is the limit and we will fly as high as possible."

Clark said he was excited to have Skiles join the Eagles' coaching staff.

"He has coached in this area previously and has been a successful recruiter," Clark said. "He will hit the ground running with recruiting immediately to shore up our Fall 2023 class.  He knows how to develop long distance runners and I look forward to the growth of the cross country and distance track program. It will be great to have a full-time coaching presence on campus starting in early December."

Skiles helped start the cross country programs at Finlandia University and Sierra Nevada College. In his collegiate coaching tenure, Skiles has made two NCAA Division II Championship appearances, won two Gulf South Conference titles and has coached numerous top performers, including one NCAA Division III All-American, two NCAA Division III national qualifiers and three NAIA nationals qualifiers.

Skiles graduated from Kutztown University with degrees in history and political science. He is working on a master's degree in health and performance from University of the Southwest.

He and his wife, Kristen, have two children, Peter (5) and Anna-Kat (4).