David Gary Crowton, a native of Orem Utah, has been a football coach for nearly all his life. Gary attended Brigham Young University (BYU), where he served as a Graduate Assistant before graduating in 1983. From BYU, Gary took his coaching skills to four different schools, developing his coaching skills and career, before landing his first head coaching role at Louisiana Tech in 1996.

Gary succeeded longtime coach LaVell Edwards as head coach of BYU in 2001. In his first season, he led the Cougars to a 12–2 record, their most wins since going 14–1 in 1996. Crowton served as the head football coach at Louisiana Tech University from 1996 to 1998 Leading the Nation in Passing offense and guiding Louisiana Tech to a 9-2 Record in 1997 and its 1st Winning season as an FBS team. 

Crowton has also served as offensive coordinator at the University of Maryland, at the University of Oregon, for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL), and at Louisiana State University (LSU). He was the offensive coordinator for the 2007 LSU Tigers football team, which won the 2008 BCS National Championship Game and a consensus national championship. While at Oregon, Crowton was a 2005 finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top college football assistant coach. Crowton is most known for his aggressive offensive style, such as the "razzle dazzle" offensive scheme utilized in Chicago. He was nicknamed "The Wizard" by the LSU players, after completing 39 games with an accomplishment of at least 30 points within 25 games and a 25–10 overall mark.