Garner Ezell grew up in Leoma, Tennessee and played football at nearby Loretto High School. He was a football letterman at North Alabama (1975-76) before earning his degree.

In 1981, Ezell got his first head coaching job when he replaced Charles Toner at Lexington. He stayed for two seasons with a 16-4 record and one playoff appearance his first season.

Coach Ezell moved over to Cherokee High School in 1983 for three years. He led the Indians to Area Championships twice in three years, advancing to the Semi-finals in the 1984 season and the Quarter-finals in 1985. In 1985, the Indians recorded their first 12 win season in school history.

Following the 1985 season Coach Ezell accepted the head coaching position at Athens High School. Over the next ten seasons his teams finished with a 79-34 record earning eight playoff spots. His teams also won eight area and region titles.

Ezell retired after the 1995 season as the Golden Eagles all-time leader in football victories. Ezell remained at Athens and served as athletic director and assistant principal.

Ezells overall coaching record is 119-51 in 15 seasons as a head football coach. Eleven of these teams qualified for the playoffs after winning their area championship each season.

Coach Ezell was named as the 3A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association in 1984.