The Highlanders are in wrap-up mode for the year after finishing the Super 14 on an unexpected high with a 26-14 win against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
While Glenn Moore finished with just three wins out of 13 in his first season as coach, he has received emphatic backing from his chairman.
"We've never had any doubt. We always knew that Glenn had the goods as a coach," McLauchlan said.
"If one or two calls had gone our way early on, this whole season could have been a lot different."
The Highlanders will still be around their Logan Park base for a few days yet.
Moore and the other coaches are undergoing the traditional annual player reviews before they get a break.
It will be July before Moore and assistants Murray Roulston and Steve Martin receive their regular review from the New Zealand Rugby Union.
There was a feeling at this time last year that Greg Cooper had outstayed his welcome with the Highlanders, and he subsequently accepted an offer to be David Nucifora's assistant with the Blues.
In his four years, Cooper never won fewer than four games.
Moore won only three in his first season but he inherited a side shorn of experience and did not have players of the quality of Carl Hayman and Nick Evans.
The Highlanders copped the usual speculation earlier this season about their shaky future when it was revealed the Super 14 could be dramatically revamped in 2010.
McLauchlan hoped the memorable win against the Crusaders and the fact the side was competitive against most teams this year would silence any critics.
"Right from the outset, the Highlanders were never going to not be here next year. It's just an annual call from the north and I think it's more about Auckland not wanting to work with its franchise partners."
He said results such as Saturday's shock win would contribute to assuring the franchise's long-term security.
McLauchlan was in celebration mode at the weekend but he was less pleased about recent off-field incidents that had tarnished the Highlanders' image.
Winger Lucky Mulipola has been convicted of assault and driving charges, and halfback Jimmy Cowan is in court on Friday to answer a disorderly behaviour charge.
"We've been really disappointed. From the board's perspective, we don't expect that sort of thing in the professional age," McLauchlan said.
"But I guess they're young fellows and sometimes they get out of hand. There's definitely not any underlying problem with the culture at the Highlanders."
