That must seem an age ago now for Hesson, who has helped push New Zealand into improved positions on the three rankings lists overseen by the International Cricket Council.
"In the last 12 months exponentially our performances have improved in all forms and that's pleasing," he said.
"As a coach you want everything to happen now and often I don't have as much patience as I need to. But where we're sitting now is a good position of strength. We've got competition for places in all forms and that's what you need to see."
Hesson admits he can be "a little bit about liking things to happen yesterday" but reckons himself a methodical person.
"I do like process but I don't like fluffing around. If you think something needs to happen you like to get it done. More things you can get ticked off the to-do list the quicker you move."
Hesson believes the key lesson he's taken out of his first two years is allowing people to do their job.
"Sure there's no doubt I'm in charge and have to make the ultimate call. You do need to have your finger on everything but you still need people to be allowed to do their job.
"Often when the buck stops with you, you want to poke your nose into everything. We've got really good support staff and there's a lot of trust in terms of allowing people to go and do their job, and that certainly makes your job easier."
Hesson reflected on "the difficult time" when Doug Bracewell and Jesse Ryder were rubbed out of the national squad, during the Indian tour last summer after repeat infringements of team protocols.
"But if you're strong in your beliefs in how the team needs to operate it was pretty straightforward.
"And it's been pretty well documented the captaincy situation [removing Taylor from the captaincy in Sri Lanka late in 2012] was a difficult time for everybody and no one wants to go through that."
Hesson puts some store on the ICC rankings. New Zealand sit seventh in tests, but just 11 points behind third-placed England; seventh in ODIs, 14 behind third-placed South Africa; and sixth in T20, 13 behind third-placed Pakistan.
"That's a big gauge for me in terms of how consistent we are."
Next up is Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, a challenging assignment for any team.
Hesson is adamant the rest of the cricket world is gaining greater respect for New Zealand's capabilities.
"They certainly don't treat us as a soft target, therefore their preparation will be significant and that means we have to up our game as well. We rated in the top three last year in test cricket by the ICC, so obviously we're on the radar."
As for the World Cup, there are 21 ODIs between now and the opener against Sri Lanka in Christchurch on February 14.
The first cup camp will be early next month before South Africa arrive for three ODIs at Mt Maunganui and Hamilton.
He's hoping the veteran allrounder Dan Vettori will figure in the leadup to the cup, after a lengthy injury-enforced absence.
"He's in good shape and all going well he'll be involved in some capacity in October and we'll see from there."
There are warmup games against World Cup qualifiers Scotland and Ireland on October 15 in Lincoln and October 18 in Hamilton.
Once October starts, as Hesson put it, "she's all go".
An exhilarating summer is in prospect. The coach, having got through a grim first year, and off the back of a highly successful second, can't wait.
NZ under Hesson
Tests: Played 21, won six, drawn 7, lost 8
ODIs: Played 28, won 13, lost 14, tied 1
T20: Played 23, won 11, lost 10, tied 2
