Connolly has in the past worked with the Queensland Reds, Stade Français, Swansea RFC as well as Bath Rugby.
Following the defeat to England in the quarter-finals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Connolly's term as coach of the Wallabies had expired.
Connolly suffered serious spinal fractures along with a broken arm and dislocated shoulder after a two-metre fall at his father Jack’s Brisbane home In August 2021.
In March 2011, Connolly was the Liberal National Party candidate at the 2012 state election in the constituency of Nicklin, facing the long-serving independent MP Peter Wellington.
[8][9] In August 2020, Connolly announced he would be running as an independent candidate in the electorate of Maroochydore at the 2020 Queensland state election.
[10] Connolly also ran unsuccessfully for the Sunshine Coast council in the Queensland Local Government elections in March 2024.