After 13 years on the job, Mike Slive's successful run as SEC Commissioner will come to an end on July 31, 2015, he announced Tuesday.
Slive also said he is beginning treatment for a recurrence of prostate cancer, which he was first treated for in the late 1990s.
"I have been blessed in more ways than I can count and I will have as much passion for this job on my last day as I did on my first," Slive, 74, said in a statement. "I consider my health situation a temporary detour in a remarkable road that has allowed me to meet amazing people, experience incredible events and celebrate historic victories. I will relish my final year in this position and look forward to being the biggest fan of the SEC for many years to come."
A national search for Slive's replacement will begin this fall, said Vanderbilt chancellor Nick Zeppos, the chair of the SEC presidents and chancellors.
After his retirement, Slive will serve as a consultant to the conference for four years.
The seventh commissioner of the SEC, Slive has overseen a period that included seven straight Bowl Championship Series titles in football and 67 total in 15 of its 21 sports.
Slive also spearheaded the adoption of a new league-wide NCAA compliance initiative, the league's new television contract, the launch of the SEC Network and the conference's expansion with the additions of Missouri and Texas A&M.
Before joining the SEC, Slive was the commissioner of Conference USA from 1995-2002 and the first Great Midwest Conference commissioner when the league was founded in 1991.
