Portland State interim football coach Bruce Barnum has been given a five-year contract set to begin after this season, the school announced Wednesday.

Barnum was named interim coach in November 2014 after spending the previous five seasons as the offensive coordinator. His new contract begins Dec. 1.

"The contract is great for recruiting, for everything, for what we're trying to do here," Barnum told ESPN.com. "I reached a goal. ... It's cool. Now there's more work to do."

Barnum said he told the team of the new contract at the end of Wednesday's practice.

"The team, I shook every one of their hands," he told ESPN.com. "I took a couple hits, which I didn't need. I'm too old and out of shape for shoulder bumping, but it was fun times, cool times.

"I told them no distractions, but maybe use it as a pep in your step for the next game. Especially the young guys, they're the ones who took a chance."

Barnum has led the Vikings to a 4-1 start this season with huge wins over both of Portland State's FBS opponents: Washington State and North Texas. After the Vikings' 66-7 win over North Texas, the Mean Green fired coach Dan McCarney.

Bruce Barnum has led Portland State to a 4-1 start in 2015. James Snook/USA TODAY Sports

Portland State, an FCS school, has a better record than either of the state's FBS teams (Oregon is at 3-3; Oregon State is 2-3), and the Vikings' season-opening win over Washington State looked even better this past weekend after host Oregon fell to the Cougars 45-38.

"Coach Barnum has proven he can lead our team to compete at the highest levels and is committed to developing student-athletes to be successful for the rest of their lives," athletic director Mark Rountree said in a statement.

"The search committee recognized his strong commitment to integrity and the holistic success of students, which is why he was the unanimous choice for the job. Bruce exemplifies Portland State's identity of being fearless and determined, and I know he will have a huge impact on our campus and our community."

Barnum will finish this season as the interim head coach, making $110,000.