Former CFL player and three-time Grey Cup champion Scott Flory has replaced Brian Towriss as the new head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team.

Huskie Athletics announced Monday the 40-year-old would "lead a new era of Huskie football" starting this year.

"As a University of Saskatchewan football and engineering alumnus, I left this school and football program with the life skills necessary to be successful," said Flory, a former Huskie football standout who played five seasons with the team.

"After my playing career was over, being a head coach was a career aspiration of mine and to do it at my alma mater is a dream come true."

Who is Flory?

Originally from Regina, Flory is a nine-time CFL all-star who served as head of the CFL Players Association after 15 years playing professionally.

As a Huskie, he helped lead the team to two Vanier Cup national championship titles in 1996 and 1998.

The university said Flory was selected after an extensive search that included applicants from across North America. Flory has also served as the Huskies' offensive co-ordinator for the last three seasons.

U of S College of Kinesiology dean Chad London, who also chaired the selection committee, said Flory was the perfect fit.

"Scott is passionate, inspiring and dedicated, and is truly committed to the development of our student athletes," said London.

"He also knows what it takes to win and return the program to national prominence."

Former University of Saskatchewan Huskies head coach Brian Towriss left after 33 years. (Peter Mills/CBC)

The appointment came four months after the university announced Towriss was stepping down after 33 years.

Towriss departure

The abrupt announcement caused confusion among campus football fans, raising many questions from the community.

Eventually, university president Peter Stoicheff apologized for the way the news was shared. He said Towriss's resignation was not related to performance issues, wrongdoing or health.

In a statement, Towriss said his resignation was a "mutually acceptable agreement."

Towriss said the university's football program was taking a new direction, including the introduction of a new dean of kinesiology, the upcoming recruitment of a new athletic director and a transition to a new governance structure.