HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — You can remove that interim label off of Hampton University’s Trent Boykin, as he was officially announced as the Pirates head football coach Wednesday.

Athletic Director Anthony Henderson informed Boykin earlier this week that the decision was made to move forward with him as the full time head coach.

Boykin informed the team Tuesday, and by all accounts, it was an extremely popular decision and for Boykin, the culmination of a career goal.

“It’s a dream come true,” Boykin said. “I am humble and thankful that they saw something in me that they feel this is our guy and we are going to go with him.”

A formal contract extension has not been written yet. That’s is expected to come after the season.

Boykin has been in the coaching game for 28 years, with stints at Akron, Boston College and Ball State.

This season Hampton is 3-3, including a win over rival Norfolk State.

With six games left in the season, Henderson felt like now was the time for Boykin to lead the Pirates into the future.

“I thought midway through the season we would have an idea if we were going to head in that direction or not,” Henderson said. “It gives the recruits some assurance that he’s going to be the guy when they come to campus next year.”

The Pirates play at North Carolina A&T Saturday.