LAWRENCE (KSNT) - After nearly three decades, Kansas volleyball will begin searching for a new head coach. Ray Bechard, who could be called a 'Lawrence legend,' announced his retirement in late December, a few weeks after the end of KU's 2024 season. Why did the winningest coach in KU volleyball history decide it was the right time to step away? He answers that question in an exclusive, one-on-one interview with K-Nation's Caroline Soro. "Seldom does a coach's professional expiration date, whatever that looks like, and your program competing at an extremely high level, and the program being in great shape, being nationally respected, I think the energy around our program from the community is at an all-time high, I think seldom do those things come together at the same moment," Bechard said. "It's time for me and my wife, Pam, and our two children and our two grandchildren to spend more quality time together." The Grinnell, Kansas native spent 27 years with the Jayhawks, coached 26 All-Americans and led the Jayhawks to 13 NCAA tournament appearances, something they had never done before his arrival in 1998. It's safe to say Lawrence was a dream destination for the longtime head coach. Coming to the decision, and ultimately relaying it to his team, were both difficult, but he's grateful for his time at KU. "There was a love and affection for this place even though I wasn't a graduate, just from afar before I ever got here," Bechard said. "We actually turned down some jobs in the interim before this one happened, which some people questioned my thought process there, but I knew this is a place I wanted to be and when it did happen, there wasn't another job I'd want to leave this place for." Bechard plans to stay connected to the program and continue attending games with his family in Horejsi Arena. The full interview with Coach Bechard aired in Sunday's episode of K-Nation, and can be watch above. K-Nation airs every Sunday night following 27 News at 10 on KSNT.