For a water polo program in a state of upheaval, the third time had better be the charm.

Erik Farrar was named Harvard men’s and women’s water polo coach by Director of Athletics Robert Scalise on Tuesday, less that one month removed from Scott Russell’s controversial dismissal after just one season at the helm.

Just one year prior, Jim Floerchinger had resigned amid scrutiny from both his players and the athletic department.

“It’s not something I can really talk about,” Farrar said. “And [Harvard] didn’t really tell me a whole lot.”

Scalise was not available for comment.

Farrar is certainly no stranger to either Harvard or water polo in New England.

A member of Brown’s men’s water polo team prior to his graduation in 1985, Farrar assumed the helm of his alma mater’s women’s program in 1993, boasting a 66-30 record in five seasons.

Farrar guided the Bears’ men’s squad to an 87-46 record between 1994 and 1998 as well.

For his efforts, he was awarded Coach of the Year honors on three occasions between 1994 and 1996.

After spending five years away from the sport, Farrar made a move towards a full return in 2003, coaching the women’s club team at UMass Dartmouth. One season later, he was coaxed into accepting an assistant’s position at Brown, working alongside a former protege, Todd Clapper, prompting speculation that Farrar might return to coach the Bears once more.

But Harvard wasted little time seizing on Farrar to replace Russell, who was let go by the University on July 14 after rebuffing calls for his resignation.

“Just after Scott had moved on, they just called me out of the blue,” Farrar said.

In an e-mail addressed to members of both the men’s and women’s squads following Russell’s firing, Associate Athletics Director Steve Staples had said that he aimed to land a replacement by August 15—less than a month prior to the start of the men’s fall season.

But, beyond expressing that expectation, neither Staples nor any other member of the athletics department offered much insight into the selection process, according to several members of both teams. Staples privately announced the decision in an e-mail to both the men’s and women’s squads early Monday afternoon.

“Erik’s extensive knowledge of the sport, the Ivy League and Harvard will hopefully make for a smooth transition as the new head coach of our men’s and women’s teams,” Staples wrote. “I hope that you will extend a warm welcome to Erik as he assumes the head coach position, effective immediately.”