For Tom Nadeau, it became evident this was the time to step down.

Nadeau resigned last week as girls basketball coach at Winslow High School. The Black Raiders were 76-40 under Nadeau in six seasons, posting winning records and making the playoffs all six years.

“Maybe, under different circumstances, I might not have stepped down,” Nadeau said. “Without getting into a lot of detail, I think there comes a time when one knows it’s time to move on, and I think that time has come for me.”

Nadeau would not elaborate on the factors that led to his decision. He said he told his players Friday he would not be returning.

“This was all me,” he said. “This was me going out on my own terms.”

Winslow’s best season under Nadeau was in 2009-10, when the Raiders finished 17-3 and lost in the Eastern B semifinals.

After that season, Winslow’s top player, center Megan Pelletier, transferred to Messalonskee for her final two years of high school. Winslow finished 13-6 the next season, but two starters did not come back to play this winter.

With a roster short on experience outside of seniors Mariah Chenard and Elizabeth Ferry, the Raiders still ended up 10-9 this season, losing in the preliminary round to Medomak Valley.

“I’m certainly going to miss the players, and the friendships I’ve formed with them,” Nadeau said. “But in the end, I think a change of direction for myself and the program will be good.”

Nadeau played on the Skowhegan Class A state champions in 1998 and had a successful career at UMaine-Farmington. He also coached the Hall-Dale boys varsity before taking the job at Winslow. He said he is very much interested in coaching again.

“Absolutely,” Nadeau said. “I want to coach. If the right opportunity presents itself, I will certainly consider it. But in the meantime, I can’t beat spending more time with my wife and kids.”

Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

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