NEW ULM — Matthew Dennis, who coached the New Ulm Eagles boys basketball teams to three straight Big South Conference titles from 2021-24 and two Section 2AAA title games, stepped down as head coach of the Eagles Wednesday night.

Dennis, who compiled a 78-50 mark in his five years at the helm of the Eagles, said that it was time.

“Like I told my team that when your heart and your gut tell you it is time, then you know,” he said. “I love what we have going on here and I loved what we have done together and what the community has allowed us to do.

“I am proud of what we have done, but I just knew it was time. As the offseason approaches and the next season is looming — [basketball] is a constant season as it never really ends — it was time.”

Dennis said his decision to step down as head coach was something that he had thought about all season.

“You are constantly evaluating your life and if you are living it right you want to make sure that you are making the most of your time, energy and opportunities,” he said. “I am very proud of what we did, but I think it is time for someone else to take this team and program to the next level.

“The basketball season is a grind — it is a long season. Twenty-six games and then you get some tournaments — it is a lot to ask from everyone involved and it is a grind. You have to love it, and I absolutely love it, but you still have to balance out your time and energy and you have to make some decisions and in this case I had to do what was best for me.

“I told my players [Wednesday] that it is not them — they were the reason that I wanted to come back and keep going. There is so much here and great people here. It comes down to a personal decision.”

Dennis said that when he started as head coach five years ago, there was a hunger for a basketball program and for someone to stay for an extended time.

“There was a lot of turnover because there was just not that person and people wanted that person to stay and do something,” he said. “There was a hunger in the community and at the same time there were some kids who loved the game and wanted to win and we had a group of parents who were really supportive and wanted to see things grow.

“There were a lot of factors that came together at the same time and I was able to reap the benefits of.”

Dennis’ first year produced a 5-11 record, but they were followed up by seasons of 22-7, 21-6 and 21-8 before this season of 9-18.

Dennis said that the three seasons when his team went a combined 64-21 were some of his fondest memories.

“That first conference championship was special, but probably the favorite game that I have ever been a part of was the section final [in 2021-22 season] when we played [Mankato] East that year and had a chance to win it and I still get goosebumps when I think about the Taylor Center with the ‘seatbelt’ chant filling that place.

“It did not get better than that — New Um was out in full force — and we had a chance to beat East.”

The Eagles fell 77-68 in the game.

He also recalls beating Worthington on the road for a conference title.

“And building those relationships with former players and coaches is special,” he added.

Dennis said that whoever takes over as head coach will not have a bare cupboard.

“We have a young program,” Dennis said. “And I am so proud of what group was able to accomplish this year with the youth. The freshmen class is strong as is the sophomore class — there is a lot coming up — and that did weigh into my decision too. Could I have stayed one more year, yes, but that would not be fair to the next coach to build something that they wanted. This was a natural step-off point. It takes that next person to take it to the next level.”

Dennis said that come next season, he will miss it.

“But the one thing that will keep me dialed into the program is the team next year,” he said. “I want to see how far they will get — and I will always feel that I am a part of whatever success that they have. There will be some vested interest in this group coming through.”