Tommy Laurendine has been named the head football coach at
Sewanee, according to athletic director Mark Webb.
Laurendine will be the 30th head coach in the program's
history.
“After an extensive search process, I am pleased that Oak Ridge native Tommy Laurendine has accepted the position of head football coach at the University of the South,” said Webb.
Laurendine replaces Robert Black, who stepped down in February after compiling a 4-34 record in four seasons.
Laurendine comes to Sewanee from The Citadel, where he has served as the offensive coordinator since 2010. During his time at The Citadel, Laurendine coached the quarterbacks and fullbacks in addition to his coordinating responsibilities.
Laurendine previously served as the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, and fullbacks coach at NCAA Division II Lenoir-Rhyne College for two seasons. In 2008, his offense improved by more than 126 yards per game and finished the season ranked fifth in Division II in rushing, averaging 295.3 yards per contest. In 2009, Laurendine and the Bears improved to 294.3 rushing yards per game, finishing the year with the second best rushing average in Division II.
Prior to his stint at Lenoir-Rhyne, Laurendine served as the offensive coordinator at Washington and Lee in 2007. During his time with the Generals, he coached quarterbacks and wide receivers. Laurendine also served as the Generals' offensive coordinator from 1995-1997, while coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers and assisting with the track and field team.
From 2001-2006, Laurendine was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Southern Arkansas. While at Southern Arkansas, Laurendine's offenses set a combined 18 school records and earned a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2003. The 2005 squad broke records for total offense (4,677), rushing attempts (630), first downs (250), touchdowns (44), rushing offense (296.4 ypg), total offense (425.2 ypg), scoring offense (29.7 points per game), and single game yardage (615). He also spent the 2000 season as SAU's assistant head coach, offensive line coach, and team academic coordinator.
“An outstanding recruiter, Coach Laurendine brings to the post tremendous enthusiasm, an exceptional skill set, and a genuine desire to lead Sewanee's storied football program,” said Webb.
Laurendine is a 1990 graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne, having earned a bachelor of arts in education. While at L-R, he was a two-year starter at quarterback and was named the 1988 and 1989 South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was a 1989 Domino's NAIA Player of the Year Finalist. Laurendine was team captain in 1989 and led the Bears to a conference championship in 1988.
“First of all, I have to thank Mark Webb, Vice Chancellor John McCardell, and Provost Linda Lankewicz for handling this search with such professionalism and giving me the opportunity to become Sewanee's 30th head football coach. I am so thrilled to getting an opportunity to move back to my home state of Tennessee and am ready to get to the Mountain,” remarked Laurendine. “I know that overseeing this program will be a lot of fun. We are going to be building something and in the process, building lifelong memories for these young men. I can't say enough how excited I am.”
“Growing up in Tennessee, you hear a lot about Sewanee and its tradition. I hope to put us on a winning track and make these kids proud. Getting a good education at Sewanee is a given. Good memories on the football field come hand-in-hand with winning and that's something we want to create soon. We are in a building process and it's not going to happen overnight, but if the players buy in, we will reap the rewards in the near future, “ he said. “I'm so excited to get to the Mountain, get a few spring practices under our belt, install our new system, and get prepared for August.”
He and his wife Shawna have two daughters, Alexa, 11 and Lakin, 6.