The Crowton Era Begins
BYU Head Coach Gary Crowton Prepares for Debut in BCA Classic

Princeton, N.J. (August 23, 2001) – Brigham Young and Tulane will kick-off the college football season at the fifth annual BCA Classic on August 25th at 4:30 p.m. EST in BYU’s LaVell Edwards Stadium. ESPN2 will nationally televise the game.

BYU football enters a new era this season following the retirement of coaching legend LaVell Edwards who spent 29 years on the sidelines for the Cougars, compiling a 257-101-3 record. Gary Crowton, a native of Orem, Utah, will take over at the helm for the Cougars after successful stints at Louisiana Tech and the Chicago Bears. Crowton’s coaching career actually began in 1982 as a student assistant under Edwards at BYU. While at BYU he also worked with current Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren and future NFL Hall of Famer, Steve Young.

“This was a dream come true for me,” Crowton said as he was named BYU’s 13th head coach on December 6, 2000. “I have always dreamed of coaching at BYU. I pledge to BYU fans that I will devote my energy to continuing BYU’s winning football tradition.”

“Gary’s philosophy has been to build on strengths that LaVell (Edwards) brought and incorporate the new ideas he’s got,” BYU Athletic Director Val Hale says. “We’ve had to remind people that Gary isn’t LaVell and he ought to be given freedom to do things his way.”

Crowton was head coach at Louisiana Tech from 1996-1998, where he was credited for reviving the school’s football tradition. He guided the school to a 21-13 record over three seasons, including a 9-2 mark in 1997. Known for his high-powered offense, Crowton’s squad ranked third in the nation in both passing and total offense. Also while at Louisiana Tech, Crowton recruited current Tulane quarterback Patrick Ramsey.

Crowton spent the past two years as the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. Crowton was responsible for rejuvenating the Bears’ passing game, which finished third in the NFL in passing yardage during the 1999 season.

The Black Coaches Association is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to foster the growth and development of minorities at all levels of sports, both nationally and internationally.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting the BYU box office or by calling 1-800-322- BYU1.

The BCA Classic is produced the Gazelle Group. For more information about the BCA Classic, please contact Phil Wendler at (609)921-1300 or pwendler@gazellegroup.com or visit BCAClassic.com.