Vail Mountain School Names Toby Kinney New Boys Soccer Coach

Aspen —“Student-athletes are privileged to play this beautiful game and should not be entitled to take it for granted,” Toby Kinney said.

The new Vail Mountain School head boys soccer coach has high standards for his team this year, and they come with a clear price tag in effort and preparation. Kinney takes over the Rangers after Kevin Ives’ three-year run, which followed Jake Rainey’s state championship in 2022. Since that title, the program has struggled to maintain momentum, falling in the second round of state tournaments in both 2023 and 2024 before posting a 1-12-2 record last fall.

On paper, the numbers look like a rebuilding year. The Rangers graduated seven athletes, including top scorer Winston Pillsbury, who contributed 11 points last season. Calvin Schaffler’s four goals are also gone from the ledger. But Kinney isn’t counting on nostalgia. He is betting on returning scorers Colm Kinney (six goals, 12 points) and Alec Uribe (four goals, 12 points), along with seniors Gabe Fletcher and Kaleb Gibbs.

“The four bring experience, leadership and a strong understanding of our game model,” Kinney stated.

The roster also features Caspian Covarrubias-Walker, returning from injury, and multi-sport additions like mogul skier Luca Dispense and lacrosse/hockey player George Reihe. Kinney notes that their versatility is a strength, not just a hobby. If each senior hits their individual ceiling, he expects a competitive squad.

Assistant coaches Jordan Kauk, Chris Robinson, and John Linn will help manage the program’s 26 athletes. The real shift, however, is in the offseason protocol. In May, Kinney sent a list of technical and fitness standards to every athlete. Some players did their homework, making noticeable improvements before August practices even began.

That intense approach has caught the attention of new Vail Mountain School athletic director Lisa Isom. “I’m super excited about what he’s looking at in terms of strength and co,” Isom said, cutting off mid-thought but clearly signaling approval.

For context, the 2022 state title was a high bar. The team entered that tournament as the No. 1 seed but lost to No. 8 Telluride in the second round. They repeated that second-round exit in 2024 via a shootout. The 1-12-2 record last fall was the defining low point, yet Kinney argues it showed courage among underclassmen who stepped into varsity matches.

The cost for locals isn’t just in tuition or activity fees, but in the visibility of the program. A 1-12-2 team draws fewer spectators and generates less community pride than a state contender. Kinney’s emphasis on “courage, intelligence, dynamism and joy” suggests he wants to rebuild that engagement. He isn’t just looking for wins; he’s looking for a team identity rooted in specific, measurable behaviors.

The practical bottom line is that the Vail program is no longer just surviving the post-championship hangover. They are actively restructuring their development pipeline. With 26 athletes and a clear fitness mandate, the expectation is that the underclassmen will make a larger impact this fall. If they do, the Rangers might avoid another second-round exit and stop treating state tournament appearances as one-off events.