MONTREAL - The Montreal Alouettes promoted Anwar Stewart to defensive line coach Tuesday.

Stewart replaces Keith Willis, who was granted a release from the club to accept a coaching position with the NFL's Tennessee Titans. Willis had spent three seasons with Montreal.

Stewart played 11 seasons with the Alouettes, winning Grey Cups in 2002, 2009 and 2010. He was also the CFL's top defensive player in 2004 and ranks second in club history with 66 sacks.

He began his CFL coaching career with Montreal in 2014 as the team's defensive quality control coach.

"Anwar has been working hard and waiting for this opportunity," Montreal head coach and GM Jim Popp said in a statement. "We have the utmost confidence that he is ready for this role.

"Anwar brings passion and energy to work every day."

The Alouettes also named Paul Charbonneau as their running back coach. The Ottawa native spent the past two seasons as the assistant offensive line coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.