Lauterbur began his coaching career at Wickliffe and Collinwood high schools near Cleveland, Ohio. He spent two years as an assistant coach at Kent State University from 1953 to 1954, followed by two years as an assistant coach with the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Lauterbur wanted to return to college football, so he left the Colts to take a job as the offensive line coach at the United States Military Academy under head coach Earl Blaik in 1957.