Texas A&M is moving forward with transitioning to a new athletic director.

The A&M System Board of Regents authorized university President R. Bowen Loftin to negotiate Bill Byrne's future with A&M on Friday.

News 3 spoke with Loftin who didn't say when Bill Byrne will step down as the head of Aggie athletics.

Bill Byrne's contract isn't up until August 31, 2013 but discussions are already under way on his transition out of the A.D.'s position.

After nine years in Aggieland Bill Byrne's time as Texas A&M's Athletic Director is winding down.

News 3 caught up with university President R. Bowen Loftin at Friday's groundbreaking of the physical education building.

Loftin says it's too soon to speculate when a new A.D. will be hired.

"He and I agree we can't wait 'till the end of that contract to determine a transition to a new A.D. here. So we've already begun some time ago conversations about his future here. And we'll be able next weeks to months to be able to come back to the public and announce exactly what's gonna happen," said R. Bowen Loftin, Ph.D., Texas A&M University President.

Byrne has seen many historic moments during his time at A&M including the Aggie Women's Basketball National Championship and a move to the Southeastern Conference.

But the football record under his watch left some fans disappointed.

Over the past nine seasons the Aggies have won 58 games and lost 54.

"We've had more championships at the conference and national levels that we've ever had before in the same period of time, as we've clearly been able to build champions here which is his motto. We appreciate all he's done for Texas A&M athletics," Loftin added.

We're told there is no active search going on for a new athletic director just yet.

In January Bill Byrne's salary was listed at $690,000 a year.

Before coming to A&M he was the Athletic Director at the University of Nebraska for about ten years.