In his first year at Lenoir-Rhyne, Laurendine's offense improved by more than 126 yards per game and finished the 2008 season ranked fifth in the NCAA Division II in rushing at 259.3 yards per contest. In 2009, the Bears' offense improved to 294.3 yards a game, finishing second in Division II.

Laurendine went to Lenoir-Rhyne after spending one season as offensive coordinator at Washington & Lee (2007). Prior to Washington & Lee, he was an offensive coordinator at West Georgia (2006), assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Southern Arkansas (2001-05) and offense coordinator at West Alabama (1997-00). While at SAU, Laurendine's offenses established 18 school records and the 2003 squad earned a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs and was ranked No. 11 in the nation.

He also had coaching stints at Washington & Lee (1995-97) and West Georgia (1991-93) as a graduate assistant and started his career as a student coach for L-R in 1990, where he was a two-year letterwinner as quarterback for the Bears.

The Oak Ridge, Tenn. native was named the 1988 and 1989 South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and finished his L-R career with 4,064 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns. His 58.3 career completion percentage and 2,409 yards of total offense in a single-season (1989) are both school records. Laurendine, a team captain in 1989, led L-R to the league championship in 1988 and was inducted into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2007. He was also inducted into the L-R's Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

Laurendine and his wife Shawna have two daughters, Alexa, 10, and Lakin 5.