Ordinary Joe

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In the autumn of 2010, Joe Schmidt, a little-known New Zealander, became head coach at Leinster despite having no prior experience leading a professional team. After a rocky start, with Leinster losing three of their first four games, doubts arose about his leadership. Fast forward nine years, and Schmidt has stepped down as Ireland's coach, having achieved unprecedented success in Irish rugby. His accolades include two Heineken Cups in three seasons with Leinster and three Six Nations championships with Ireland, highlighted by a Grand Slam in 2018. He also led the team to historic victories, including the first win in South Africa and against the All Blacks, and secured Ireland's first-ever number 1 world ranking. Known for his precision, focus, and high standards, Schmidt shares his life story and influences, detailing the experiences that shaped him as a coach and a person. His diaries from the 2018 Grand Slam and 2019 Rugby World Cup offer an intimate glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of coaching at the national level. From his humble beginnings in New Zealand to his strategic prowess in coaching, Schmidt's journey illustrates how an ordinary man can lead teams to extraordinary accomplishments.