It followed seven seasons spent as Ireland's defence coach - although Kiss appears to have taken stepping up a level in his stride with Ulster booking their place in this season's Guinness PRO12 play-offs.
The Irish province finished fourth in the Guinness PRO12 to set up a semi-final away to Leinster next Friday night.
And while ending a run of two consecutive semi-final defeats is high on the agenda, Kiss is taking nothing but positives from his time with the club so far this season.
"I've loved every minute," Kiss told the Belfast Telegraph.
"I've learnt a lot; I've grown a lot. I knew a lot of the group, but it's been great to sit in the dressing room with them as a whole squad, explore them as people, and find out where we want to go.
"Ambition is high here and that suits me. As a person I'm ambitious myself.
"In a nutshell, it's been an energising year. A long year, but I've found it fascinating."
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