University of Alabama Director of Athletics Bill Battle is stepping down.

Battle, 75, will transition into a position as special assistant to UA President Stuart Bell once a successor is in place. His current contract expires in June.

Greg Byrne, currently vice president for athletics at Arizona, is expected to be named as Battle's successor. Byrne has run the Arizona athletics department since 2010, and was athletics director at Mississippi State from 2008-10.

Battle was hired to replace Mal Moore in March of 2013 and made a four-year commitment to UA Chancellor Robert Witt.

"When I took this job, I talked it over with (wife) Mary and we agreed it would be a four-year adventure, so I told Dr. Witt that I would sign a four-year contract," Battle told The Tuscaloosa News.

Battle underwent cancer treatment for multiple myeloma last summer, taking a medical leave of absence for approximately eight weeks. He returned to his duties in time for the Crimson Tide's 2016 football season.

"Even before I went in for the stem-cell transplant this summer, I talked to Dr. Bell and told him, 'You need to start looking for some possible replacements and get started as soon as possible.' So that process started in mid-fall," Battle said.

Battle said his health was not a factor in his decision.

"My health is good, or as good as a 75-year old man's can be," he said. "My cancer is in full remission. But at my age, I just didn't want to come into work every day anymore. I love what I do and wouldn't take anything for the experience of having done it. But I'm getting to the point where I want to do some of the the other things I love to do, too. I want to spend more time in Jackson Hole, and at my farm."

Battle plans to take an active role in helping the new athletics director get settled into his position.

"I will be helping with the transition and some other high-level strategic planning," he said. "My contract officially expires in June, but I plan to be around a lot longer as a consultant and advisor."

Bell expressed gratitude for Battle's service to UA.

“Bill has done a tremendous job as director of athletics, and has accomplished so much during his career,” Bell said in a statement released by the school. “His business expertise, coupled with his coaching experience and his strong understanding of the role an athletic department has in the daily fabric of a university, has allowed us to achieve the great successes we have enjoyed during his tenure. We are blessed to have the continued benefit of his counsel.”

Battle played at Alabama for legendary coach Paul W. "Bear" Bryant from 1960 until 1962 and had later careers as a college football coach and a highly successful licensing executive.