Crowley gained 1841 yards during his three-year career as a member of Notre Dame's famed Four Horsemen backfield, helping the Irish to a 27-2-1 record. In 1962, 400 sports writers and broadcasters made him the only one of the Four Horsemen selected to their all-time Notre Dame team.

Following graduation, Crowley went on to head coaching jobs at Michigan State and Fordham, posting a 78-27-6 record. At Fordham, he developed the famed "Seven Blocks of Granite" line.