Preview: Ireland v Scotland
The 50-year-old's current contract expires after next year's Six Nations, but after an injury-affected championship in which he handed debuts to five players, the New Zealander has hinted at staying on until the 2019 World Cup to provide a developing squad with "continuity".
The former Leinster coach has admitted he would be happy with a third-place finish this season, but insisted he was already looking to the longer-term future.
"It is something that I've committed to making a decision on once we get back from Africa really," he said.
"It's really important that there is a clear pathway for players to know that there's some continuity there or, if that continuity is going to be with someone else, that there's a span of enough time that they can get the game up and running as they see it best being played.
"I am conscious of my responsibility there, there's some factors outside of rugby that tend to dictate for me ]Schmidt's son Luke suffers from severe epilepsy' so we'll be a little bit further down the track with some of those decisions as well.
"You couldn't get a better group of young men to work with, and not-so-young men who are still sprightly in how they move about; the mix has changed a bit this year."
"We're going to go out on the weekend and play with about half as many caps as we last time we played Scotland. Those things change but at the same time you can still get pretty excited about what the future might hold," he added.
"I hope he's here for at least the next World Cup," Sexton said. "That's what everyone in the squad would hope. We feel that we're building something... There is still plenty of rugby to be played with Joe in charge."
Ireland captain Rory Best will make his 32nd consecutive Six Nations appearance on Saturday after the hooker overcame a calf problem.
Meanwhile Tommy O'Donnell is the only change to the team that thrashed Italy 58-15 last weekend - Ireland's first win this championship - after replacing Josh van der Flier in the back-row.
History beckons for Scotland this weekend as victory would see them record three wins in a single Six Nations for the first time since 2006.
It is a remarkable turnaround for a Scotland side who were on a cumulative run of nine straight Championships defeats after losses to England and Wales in this year's first two rounds.
But a 36-20 win over Italy that stopped the rot was followed by last week's 29-18 victory over France at Murrayfield and now Scotland are in sight of winning three successive matches in a single Championship for the first time since the 1996 Five Nations.
Scotland coach Vern Cotter has made three changes to his starting line-up with Duncan Weir replacing Finn Russell at flyhalf, after the latter suffered a concussion against the French.
Meanwhile Tim Swinson comes in for the injured Jonny Gray in the second row, while loose forward Ryan Wilson returns in place of Josh Strauss, who is on the bench.
"We were pleased with our sustained effort against France," said Cotter.
"The challenge for us now is to keep constructing our game and enjoy the last coming together of the championship in a Scotland jersey, against an Ireland team full of confidence after a convincing win over Italy."
Players to watch:
For Ireland: Flank Tommy O'Donnell is as hard as nails in the physical exchanges and he forms an uncompromising back row with Jamie Heaslip and CJ Stander. Lock Devin Toner was outstanding against Italy last weekend. He dominated in the set piece and showed some skill with ball in hand. Centre Robbie Henshaw will be an attacking threat with ball in hand and can't be given too much space in the midfield.
For Scotland: Stuart Hogg is the best fullback in Europe. He can crack open the toughest defences with his speed and vision and he has a good boot on him as well. Flank John Hardie can cause the Irish all sorts of problems at the breakdowns and could he could be a key weapon for the Scots. Lock Tim Swinson is another player that will have a key eye on him, especially in the line-outs against top-class Irish locks.
Head to head: Up front, prop Jack McGrath showed his strength in this year's tournament and his battle with WP Nel in the scrums could be an intriguing one. Locks Devin Toner and Tim Swinson are both big ball carriers for their team, but it's their battle in the line-outs where the real contest lies. Another interesting contest will be between the two flyhalves. Duncan Weir comes in for Finn Russell and he will need to dictate the game for his team and ensure that Jonathan Sexton is kept quiet.
Recent results:
2015: Ireland won 28-22, Dublin
2015: Ireland won 40-10, Edinburgh
2014: Ireland won 28-6, Dublin
2013: Scotland won 12-8, Edinburgh
2012: Ireland won 32-14, Dublin
2011: Scotland won 10-6, Edinburgh
2011: Ireland won 21-18, Edinburgh
2010: Scotland won 23-20, Dublin
2009: Ireland won 22-15, Edinburgh
2008: Ireland won 34-13, Dublin
Prediction: Both teams are coming off morale-boosting wins. It will be close, but expect Ireland to sneak it by five points or less.
Teams:
Ireland: 15 Simon Zebo, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best(captain), 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Nathan White, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Fergus McFadden.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8 Ryan Wilson, 7 John Hardie, 6 John Barclay, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Moray Low, 19 Rob Harley, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Pete Horne, 23 Sean Lamont.
Date: Saturday, March 19
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 17.00 (17:00 GMT)
Expected weather: It will be mostly sunny with a high of 8.
Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Agence France-Presse & rugby365com