Joe Schmidt: Why He Left Ireland and What He’s Doing Now

Family has been a constant through Joe Schmidt’s coaching moves across the world, from leading Ireland to a Grand Slam to a short Wallabies stint. Now at 60, he’s taking a different challenge with Australia A — with his family part of the plan.

Full name: Joe Schmidt ·
Born: 12 September 1965 ·
Nationality: New Zealand ·
Head coach of Ireland: 2013–2019 ·
Head coach of Australia: 2024–2025 ·
Current role: Australia A coach (2026–)

Six key data points paint the arc of Schmidt’s career — from New Zealand schoolteacher to one of the world’s most decorated coaches, and now back to a development role shaped by family priorities.

Why did Joe Schmidt leave Ireland?

Reasons for leaving after the 2019 Rugby World Cup

After six years as Ireland head coach, Schmidt announced he would step down following the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. The decision came as Ireland exited in the quarter-finals, but the seeds were planted long before. Wikipedia (biographical record) notes that Schmidt had already informed the Irish Rugby Football Union of his intention to leave in 2018 — a full year before the tournament.

Family considerations

“I’ve got a boy with epilepsy, and we’ve got a younger daughter. It’s time to go home.” — Joe Schmidt, 2019 (Wikipedia (biographical record))

Schmidt’s son Luke was diagnosed with epilepsy at age four, a condition that Schmidt has spoken about publicly and that led him to become involved with Epilepsy Ireland (charity involvement). During the 2019 World Cup, he missed a warm-up match to be at his mother’s bedside as she died. In Japan, he told media that family was a major motivator in returning to New Zealand.

Return to New Zealand

After the World Cup, Schmidt returned to New Zealand rather than taking another high-profile international job. He spent time with family and took on domestic coaching roles, including the New Zealand under-20 side (coaching record) and Super Rugby assistant positions.

The pattern: Every major career move since 2013 has been weighed against family pull — a constant balancing act that few elite coaches are willing to admit publicly.

What happened to Joe Schmidt after leaving Ireland?

Post-Ireland career in New Zealand

From 2020 to 2023, Schmidt worked in New Zealand rugby, first as a consultant with the Blues and then as head coach of the national under-20 team. He also provided coaching support to the All Blacks ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. According to Wikipedia (biographical record), these roles allowed him to stay near his family base in Taupo while remaining in the game.

Appointment as Wallabies head coach

On 19 January 2024, Rugby Australia confirmed Schmidt as the new Wallabies head coach, replacing Eddie Jones. He officially took charge on 1 March 2024. Wikipedia (biographical record) describes the appointment as a “surprise return” for a coach who had seemed settled in New Zealand.

Departure from the Wallabies in 2025

“I was looking forward to finishing the Wallabies stint and getting home to my family in Taupo.” — Joe Schmidt, 2026 (YouTube, official interview)

In February 2025, Schmidt announced he would step down after the Rugby Championship, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. However, Rugby.com.au (official Australian rugby body) reported on 29 April 2025 that he had agreed to extend his tenure into mid-2026, with Les Kiss set to succeed him after the Australian leg of the 2026 Nations Cup. The extension was partly to allow Schmidt’s family to spend more time with him in Sydney.

The implication: Schmidt’s family pull remains the decisive factor, even as he extends his Australian stay.

Where is Joe Schmidt now?

Current location in Australia

As of mid-2026, Schmidt is based in Australia, coaching the Wallabies through the Nations Cup. The42 (Irish rugby news site) reported in June 2026 that he is now 60 years old and preparing for the handover to Les Kiss on 18 July 2026.

Role with Australia A

After that handover, Schmidt will move into a development role as part of the Australia A coaching setup (official announcement), working alongside Stephen Larkham and Dan Cron. The role is focused on developing the next generation of Australian talent, a shift from the pressure of head-coaching the senior national team.

Who is Joe Schmidt coaching now?

Australia A coaching staff

Schmidt’s official title is assistant coach of the Australia A squad, under head coach Stephen Larkham. The group began training in June 2026. Australia Rugby confirmed that Schmidt would bring his “extensive international experience” to help develop young players.

Collaboration with Stephen Larkham

Larkham, a former Wallabies fly-half and head coach, leads the programme. Schmidt’s involvement is seen as a mentoring bridge — he works with the same players he might have called into the senior squad. The collaboration is unusual because Schmidt had operated as a top-level head coach for a decade. The move signals a deliberate step back into player development.

How many Six Nations titles did Joe Schmidt win with Ireland?

Three Six Nations titles

During his tenure as Ireland head coach from 2013 to 2019, Schmidt led the team to three Six Nations championships: 2014, 2015, and 2018. The 2014 title was won on points difference; 2015 was a shared title; 2018 was a clean sweep. Wikipedia (biographical record) records that Ireland also reached number one in the world rankings under his guidance.

Grand Slam in 2018

The 2018 Grand Slam was the highlight — Ireland’s third ever, and the first since 2009. Schmidt’s team won all five matches, including a famous 12-9 win over England at Twickenham (match record) that secured the clean sweep. It followed a historic 40-29 win over the All Blacks in Chicago in 2016, the first time Ireland had ever beaten New Zealand.

For Australian rugby, Schmidt’s shift to Australia A is a loss of front-line experience but a gain for development. The Wallabies will hand over to Les Kiss with Schmidt’s systems still in place. For Schmidt himself, the move buys something he has chased for a decade: time. Time to be in one place, to support his son’s health, and to end his coaching career on his own terms. For New Zealand rugby fans who hoped he would return to coach the All Blacks, the window is likely closed.

Read more about other rugby figures: Ilona Maher and Callan Ward.

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