Portland State Interim Football Coach Bruce Barnum will maintain his role for the 2015 season. Barnum was given a 12-month contract as Interim Head Coach by campus administration and the athletics program.

Portland State is currently in the search process for a new Director of Athletics. That person, when selected, is not expected to be on board until after the new year. As a result, to maintain the continuity of the football program and allow for active recruiting by the remaining football staff, Barnum was given the 12-month contract.

A native of Vancouver, WA, Barnum is a 1982 graduate of Columbia River High School. He has been in collegiate coaching for 25 years, including a NCAA I FCS Offensive Coordinator for the past 14 seasons.

For the past five seasons, Barnum has been the Offensive Coordinator at Portland State. The Viking team has compiled the top four rushing totals in school history over the last four years, averaging over 200 yards rushing per game each season (3,330 in 2013; 2,726 in 2011; 2,500 in 2014; 2,382 in 2013). In 2013, the Vikings ranked third in the nation in total offense (540.5 yards per game).

The Viking offensive line protected the quarterback as well as ever in 2014. PSU led the Big Sky Conference with the fewest sacks allowed on the season (10) despite throwing 423 passes. PSU has allowed only 35 sacks over 46 games the last four seasons while throwing 1,410 passes.

Portland State just completed its 2014 season at 3-9 overall, 2-6 in the Big Sky Conference. An experienced group should return in 2015 with as many as 58 letterwinners. PSU will have 16 returning starters, six on offense, eight on defense and two on special teams. A total of 32 players have started games at some point in their career.