GAINESVILLE, FLA. ? Florida coach Ron Zook was fired Monday after two-plus years and a stack of embarrassments, but will finish the season while the university searches for his replacement.

Athletic director Jeremy Foley satisfied a growing groundswell for Zook’s ouster that literally began the day he replaced Steve Spurrier.

“It is clear to us that in evaluating our football program that something is not working,” Foley said in a statement. “I accept full responsibility for where we are today and I feel this change is necessary for us to reach our goals.”

A news conference was scheduled for later Monday.

The Gators are 20-13 under Zook with four games left — that’s just 14 losses fewer than Spurrier had in 12 seasons.

“The future of Gator football is very bright,” Zook said in a statement. “Right now, the most important thing for me is to spend time getting my team ready to play a very good Georgia team. The players deserve that. The fans deserve that.”

The latest debacle, a 38-31 loss to Mississippi State, sealed Zook’s fate. Spurrier’s return would be welcomed in Gainesville. At a charity golf tournament near Orlando, Spurrier said he expected to discuss the job opening.

“I’ll cross that bridge if it comes to that,” Spurrier told the Orlando Sentinel.

“The thing I’ve tried to do all this year is not be lingering around, acting like I’m waiting for another guy’s job.”