But in an ever-changing world and with no real idea what the competition will look like next season, there will be no rush to get a replacement in for the former Hurricanes boss.
Hammett (47) said at a press conference yesterday he would be leaving the franchise at the end of the season. He had nothing on the horizon to go to but still wanted to stay in coaching.
Hammett has a varied coaching resume — he was head coach at the Hurricanes, Cardiff Blues, Sunwolves and Japan and also worked in an assistant role at Tasman, Canterbury and the Crusaders.
He came to the Highlanders in 2017 after head coach Jamie Joseph had moved on and is a well-respected part of the coaching team.
The former All Black hooker said he had really enjoyed his time with the Highlanders and Dunedin, but it was time to move on.
"There has been no decisions based around what I am going to do. I love coaching, love mentoring and that side of it. I will do something but the decision has not been made yet," he said.
"I just felt it was the right time for family. We all know in coaching it is a pretty transient type of business. That is one exciting part of it. You get to meet a lot of good people and work alongside them — good people, good characters and make a lot of good friends.
"I’ve loved my time down here. Loved it within the environment and it is probably the easiest city in terms of having to fit into. [It is a] small, close-knit community that really gets behind you."
Hammett looks after the forwards, who had been a mixed bag over the past couple of years, although the pack put in a quality performance in the last game out against the Chiefs.
The side had the bye last week. It spent three days training and then had some time off to get ready to take on the Blues at Eden Park this Saturday night.
Hammett said Nehe Milner-Skudder will not play as he comes back from a shoulder injury, while first five-eighth Josh Ioane looks unlikely to front as he has a groin injury.
All the talk was about the new breakdown rules, but Hammett was confident it would settle down in a couple of weeks.
Players would have to be more selective in attacking the ball and be more accurate at the breakdown.
Hammett had told Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger and chief executive Roger Clark he was leaving back in November, but it had remained behind closed doors until yesterday.
Hammett was coaching the forwards with Clarke Dermody and it may be the Highlanders will promote Dermody up the chain.
The Super Rugby Aotearoa competition had excited fans so far, but a cross-border competition is preferred. A video conference with Australian Super Rugby teams took place last Friday, but nothing concrete emerged.
Any international competition would have to get past border controls which show little sign of loosening in the short term.