The 56-year-old former world champion said he felt it was in the team's best interests before the 2017-18 season, which includes the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games.

However, he will remain active within the governing body, taking on the role of senior advisor to chief executive Jim Leahy. 

He will work together with sport programme director Mark Grimmette.

Assistant coach Bill Tavares will take over from Zayonc on an interim basis.

"Miro will remain active in our organisation," said Leahy. 

"From our technical initiatives to training programmes, working with our current coaching staff and developing our elite athlete concepts, Miro will be a key contributor in the years ahead. 

"In the luge world, he's recognised for his high degree of understanding of the sport and its athletes. 

"We're fortunate to have his services."

Born in the former Czechoslovakia, Zayonc first competed for Canada and won the World Championship title for the country in American village Lake Placid in 1983.

He then became an American citizen and competed at the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics, partnering Tim Nardiello in the doubles and finishing 11th. 

After retirement, he coached at every level of the USA Luge set-up and has been involved with every Winter Olympics since 1992.

He steered the country to its first Olympic medal in luge when Erin Hamlin won singles bronze at Sochi 2014, after taking the head coach job in 2012.

Under his tutelage, the US won a record 18 World Cup medals during 2015-16, with three World Championship medals added during 2016-17.

Tavares competed in doubles luge at the Alberville 1992 Winter Olympics and coached Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers to women's bobsleigh gold at the Salt Lake City 2002 Games.