WASHINGTON — George Washington University removed the interim tag Monday, officially making Maurice Joseph the school’s head men’s basketball coach.

“I’m really proud of our guys and of our program and exited to move forward,” Joseph, 31, said Monday.

Joseph took over for Mike Lonergan, who was fired before the 2016-2017 season, and led the Colonials to a 20-win season and a trip to the post season with eight newcomers on the roster. He has been a member of the coaching staff in Foggy Bottom for six seasons.

The Colonials went 20-15 and were picked to finish eighth in the Atlantic 10 and finished sixth with a 10-8 conference record including five consecutive wins to finish the regular season.

“Maurice has demonstrated that he is the right individual to lead our men’s basketball program,” Director of Athletics and Recreation Patrick Nero said in a release. “Our student-athletes respond well to his energy, passion and vision. I want to congratulate Maurice on this hard-earned opportunity. We’re confident that he will continue to recruit and retain the next generation of men’s basketball student-athletes and help their talent’s shine.”

The Colonials will return six of its top eight scorers next season.

“It’s really exciting,” Joseph said. “I’m anxious to get to work and take the program forward.”

Joseph has signed a five-year deal.

WTOP’s Noah Frank contributed to this report.