TORONTO - CFL commissioner Mark Cohon will be leaving his post earlier than expected.

A source tells The Canadian Press that Cohon and the CFL's board of governors have mutually agreed to him leaving his position in January.

The source added CFL board chairman Jim Lawson will act as interim commissioner until Cohon's replacement is found.

Lawson also heads up the league's search committee whose job it is to Cohon's successor.

Cohon's contract as commissioner is due to expire in April.

In August, Cohon announced he wouldn't seek a contract extension to remain on the job after his current deal ended.

Cohon, 48, succeeded Tom Wright as CFL commissioner in 2007 and signed a three-year contract extension in 2012.