TORONTO — Simply put, Scott Milanovich is hot stuff in Canada.

The Butler graduate, named head coach of the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts recently, made himself that way.

Milanovich, 38, spent the past five years as offensive coordinator of the Montreal Alouettes and became part of Grey Cup championship teams there in 2009 and 2010. This year, the Alouettes finished 10-8 in the regular season before losing a 52-44 decision to Hamilton in the CFL playoffs.

Under Milanovich’s guidance, the Alouettes scored more than 600 points in successive seasons.

“That’s probably one of the biggest reasons I got the Toronto job,” Milanovich said. “They struggled offensively this past season and that needs to turn around,”

The Argonauts scored only 397 points, ranking seventh in the league, and were dead last with 319.1 yards per game while finishing 6-12.

“Toronto played us (Montreal) in the East Finals two years ago, so I know the talent is there,” Milanovich said. “It’s up to us to tweak the roster where we need to and bring that talent out.”

The Toronto job marks Milanovich’s first head coaching job in the pro ranks. His first assistant coaching position was serving as quarterbacks coach with the CFL’s Calgary franchise in 2003.

Calgary also had interest in Milanovich as a head coach before he signed on with Toronto.

Toronto general manager Jim Barker — who resigned as head coach after the 2011 season — was the head coach at Calgary when Milanovich first joined the CFL. He was also offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles franchise in the XFL in 2000, when Milanovich served as that team’s backup quarterback.

“Jim originally brought me to Calgary with the idea I’d be playing up there,” Milanovich said. “When he and I both realized my playing days were over, he offered me a coaching position and I’ve been on that side of the game ever since.

“I feel comfortable working with Jim. We know each other very well. He’s one of the reasons I decided to come here, certainly.”

He added that accepting the Toronto post “was a no-brainer for me.”

Montreal head coach Marc Trestman issued a statement about Milanovich’s hiring in Toronto, saying that “Scott has been extremely instrumental with the success of our football team over the years. He has impacted our offense greatly ... I wish him all the best.”

Milanovich has named his two coordinators. Jonathon Himebauch was the offensive line coach at Montreal and will serve as Milanovich’s offensive coordinator.

Chris Jones, another coach Milanovich has worked with in the past, will be his defensive coordinator.

“Jon and I are on the same page in terms of offensive philosophy. You have to have that,” Milanovich said.

He added that the key to coaching in pro football is working for and trying to succeed in the moment.

“You go game by game, play by play,” Milanovich said. “You never look too far ahead in coaching. My goal is to win from week to week and see where that takes us.”

Other coaching stops for Milanovich include assistant positions with the Rhein Fire and Cologne Centurions in NFL Europe.

“I believe my ultimate future began back in my playing days at Butler,” he said. “My childhood was definitely conducive to where my career went.

“I’ve come to know and learn from some great football minds, from high school on up. You’re only as good as the people you learn from and I’ve been fortunate that way.”

The past few weeks have been hectic for Milanovich, traveling from Montreal to Toronto, while his family home is in upstate New York.

But he’s on the job with the Argonauts and loving it.

“I get to go to work every day and study football,” he said. “That’s perfect for me.”