The Wallabies' 57-10 Nations Championship triumph over Italy on Saturday snapped a six-match losing streak that left even Schmidt "depressed" and hugely frustrated.
The order-restoring victory in Perth may have given fans renewed hope that the eighth-ranked Wallabies can be competitive as home hosts of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
But only the second Australian success in his last 11 Tests in charge could not completely mask a galling record of just 12 wins from 31 matches during his three-year tenure.
While his 38.71 per cent winning return ultimately edged out Dave Rennie's 38.24 per cent, Schmidt's 61.29 per cent losing record, compared to his Kiwi countryman's 52.94 per cent ranks as worst overall strike rate as Wallabies coach in 55 years.
"I haven't loved the results sometimes. In fact, I've been depressed about the results in some of those games," Schmidt said on Monday after officially handing over the reins to Les Kiss.
But after inheriting a broken squad and system following Eddie Jones's disastrous second stint as coach in 2023, when the Wallabies failed to make the knockout stages of a World Cup for a first time, Schmidt is proud about restoring belief and depth to the national team.
A stirring third-Test win over the touring British and Irish Lions last year, the week before a first Australian victory over the world champion Springboks at Ellis Park since 1963 showed the Wallabies can beat the best on their day.
"It was a total clean-out after the World Cup," Schmidt said of what he ranks as the greatest challenge of his otherwise decorated coaching career.
"There were two other members of staff, so we had no coaches. We had no real support staff and a lot of the players, even post World Cup, either weren't available or there had been some guys who'd been left out and were teetering on the edge of heading overseas.
"I knew no one. So it was about convincing them that we can still get together and be competitive."
Several near misses against global heavyweights, particularly losses at Eden Park last year against the All Blacks and in the return bout against the Springboks in Cape Town after being in both contests late and the controversial second Lions Test, hurt Schmidt the most.
But the 60-year-old insists he has left Kiss with plenty to build on.
"We actually showed that we could do some things," he said.
"So that's part of why I'm encouraged and that's part of why I've loved the challenge because when people say we couldn't, like especially the Lions (series when) we were so written off, I was really proud of the way the players came together and competed.
"I've got regrets about things that didn't quite work out for us and, after 25 years of doing this professionally, I know that results are not the only visible demonstration of progress.
"I think there are other deliverables that are evident in the group.
"You can't sell out stadia if people aren't getting some sort of belief about what potentially the team can deliver."
Beyond the Wallabies, Schmidt believes Australian rugby is also in a better position than when he arrived.
"We've stabilised things, albeit with a big help from the Lions, from the financial perspective. We've got people coming back," he said.
"There's increases in young kids playing the game. The schools are very competitive. We were competitive at our age grade as well - two big wins in recent years over the Kiwis (at junior levels).
"There's lots of positive signs and sometimes those seeds take a while to grow, but there is a fair bit to be excited about."
WIN-LOSS RECORDS OF WALLABIES COACHES IN RUGBY'S 30-YEAR PROFESSIONAL ERA:
- Joe Schmidt, 2024-26 (31 Tests, 12 wins, 19 loss) - 38.71 per cent winning record, 61.29% losing record
- Eddie Jones, 2001-05 and 2023 (66-35-30-1) - 53.03% winning, 45.45% losing
- Dave Rennie, 2020-22 (34-13-18-3 draws) - 38.24% winning, 52.94% losing
- Michael Cheika, 2014-19 (68-34-32-2) - 50% winning, 47.06% losing
- Ewen McKenzie, 2013-14 (22-11-10-1) - 50% winning, 45.45% losing
- Robbie Deans, 2008-13 (75-44-29-2) - 58.67% winning, 38.67% losing
- John Connolly, 2006-07 (25-16-8-1) - 64% winning, 32% losing
- Rod Macqueen, 1997-2001 (43-34-8-1) - 79.07% winning, 18.60% losing
- Greg Smith, 1996-97 (19-12-7) - 63.16% winning, 36.84% losing
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