He served as the head football coach at Bucknell University from 1947 to 1957, compiling a record of 45–51–1.
He was the head football coach at Baltimore City College from 1934 to 1941 and again in 1946, tallying a mark of 69–10–6.
During World War II, he served an officer in the United States Navy with the Atlantic Fleet in the Caribbean, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander.
He then moved on to Western Maryland College—now known as McDaniel College, playing football as a halfback under head coach Dick Harlow.
Lawrence resigned from his post at Bucknell in early 1958 to return to Baltimore City College as a guidance counselor.