Bernotas earned men's and mixed team skeleton silver medals at St Moritz in 2007, and a mixed team bronze at Lake Placid in 2009 at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Championships.

He also represented the United States at the Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Bernotas' coaching career has covered two Olympic Games - Sochi 2014 with Australia, before a five-year spell as Britain's skeleton technical coach for elite performance which included three medals for the country's athletes at Pyeongchang 2018.

Bernotas, 50, was then named senior head coach of the Canadian skeleton team in July 2020.

The new USABS director of skeleton development is delighted to be returning to work in the US.

"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to join USABS after spending the past 10 years working abroad," Bernotas said.

"I am fortunate to have been exposed to a variety of experiences and gained a better understanding for the possibilities in the areas of both development and performance.

"I am looking forward to joining a strong existing US team and contributing to further developing USA Skeleton, as we continue to drive forward and strive for excellence."

Responsibilities under his new role include overseeing USABS recruitment, coaching at skeleton screening camps, sliding schools and international competitions and holding meetings with athletes throughout the year to examine their progress and ambitions.

Bernotas will work closely with USABS' director of sport performance and the country's skeleton head coach.

Aron McGuire, the chief executive of USABS, believes Bernotas represents an astute addition to the organisation's support staff.

"We are excited to add Eric to the USABS staff as we continue to identify ways to expand our support to current USA athletes and future teams," said McGuire.

"He brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive experience as an athlete and a coach.

"We are confident that Eric will be incredibly beneficial as we recruit and develop the next generation of skeleton athletes to represent the United States."

The US has won three skeleton gold medals at the Winter Olympics - a tally matched only by Britain - although its last victory in the sport came at Salt Lake City 2002.

Noelle Pikus-Pace earned a women's silver at Sochi 2014 and Matthew Antoine a men's bronze at the same Games.