Olympic bronze medallist Brian Shimer has stepped back up to the role as USABS bobsleigh head coach ©Getty Images

USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS) has undergone a reshuffle to its coaching and administrative staff, with the changes including Brian Shimer taking over as interim bobsleigh head coach from Mike Kohn.

Kohn, a four-man bobsleigh bronze medallist at the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics for the United States, has stepped down from his role as head coach after four years in the role to spend more time with his family, although will coach US athletes on the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) North American Cup.

He is set to be replaced for the IBSF World Cup team by Shimer, his team-mate from Salt Lake City 2002.

This represents Shimer's second stint as bobsleigh head coach for USABS, having held the role for the men's and women's teams prior to becoming driving coach four years ago.

His appointment is initially for the 2022-2023 season, with the position to be reviewed following its conclusion.

USABS chief executive Aron McGuire said that Shimer had the necessary experience to fulfil the role.

"Brian’s background as the head coach and driving coach will provide him the experience to seamlessly step into the role," McGuire commented.

"We appreciate his continued passion and commitment to supporting USA athletes and the bobsled programme."

Brian Shimer, left, replaces his four-man bobsleigh team-mate from Salt Lake City 2002 Mike Kohn, right, as USABS bobsleigh head coach ©Getty Images
Brian Shimer, left, replaces his four-man bobsleigh team-mate from Salt Lake City 2002 Mike Kohn, right, as USABS bobsleigh head coach ©Getty Images

USABS skeleton head coach since 2010 Tuffy Latour has taken on the role of sport performance coach for both disciplines, with applications sought to fulfil his previous position for the World Cup.

Director of skeleton development Eric Bernotas now has an expanded remit as director of skeleton programmes, leading the development and performance progression pathway for athletes.

The other change at USABS involves Amanda Bird departing for a role outside the Olympic Movement after 15 years as director of marketing and communications, although she will remain in a limited capacity during the transition period.

McGuire said that the changes would provide USABS with a fresh outlook looking towards the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

"As we head into the next Olympic quad, it’s important to re-evaluate our organisation’s structure and to make strategic changes to optimise the talent we have with our coaches and staff," he said.

The US won three bobsleigh medals at Beijing 2022 - gold and silver in the women's monobob through Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor respectively, and bronze in the two-woman through Meyers Taylor and Sylvia Hoffman.