Schmidt still proving 'very bad at retiring'

November 2, 2026

Joe Schmidt’s self-proclaimed retirement from coaching has lasted exactly seven years—and counting. After stepping down following Ireland’s 2019 World Cup quarter-final loss to New Zealand, Schmidt has since returned to the game in multiple high-profile roles, including stints with World Rugby, the All Blacks, and Australia.

Now, the 61-year-old has joined Ulster Rugby as a coach development advisor, a position he describes as focused on long-term growth rather than immediate results. His flexible arrangement includes in-person sessions in Belfast this month and remote work in between, reflecting his ongoing commitment to mentoring coaches across the province’s development pathways.

Schmidt’s deep ties to Ulster—including pre-existing relationships with figures like former Ireland captain Rory Best, now the province’s general manager—have smoothed his transition, despite his earlier rivalry with the province during his tenure with Leinster, where he won two Heineken Cups, including a dominant final victory over Ulster in 2011. "I don’t think I change," Schmidt noted, emphasizing that his approach to coaching remains consistent regardless of the team or setting.

Even during downtime, such as his recent work with Australia A in the U.S., Schmidt has already begun studying Ulster’s systems, underscoring his relentless dedication to the sport.