Ron Zook was officially asked to turn in his playbook at the end of the 2004 season on Monday morning. From the day he was hired, this was the inevitable end of the Ron Zook era.

Zook has learned one of sport?s oldest lessons -- never try and follow a legend.

Steve Spurrier was the University of Florida?s golden armed quarterback, Heisman winner, and first football star in the 1960s. He returned in 1990 and became a coaching genius who led the Gators to four SEC crowns and a National Title.

For many, Spurrier was synonymous with Gator Football. His cocky attitude and the results he got made him the most popular man in Gainesville.

Any coach who tried to follow in Spurrier?s footsteps was doomed, but Zook had an especially tough task in front of him.

First of all, Zook was not at the top of the team?s wish list for Spurrier?s replacement. He was only offered the job after a number of candidates with bigger names, including Mike Shanahan and Bob Stoops, turned down the Gators? overtures.

It is also important to remember that while Zook did have connections to the greatest era in Gator football, there were legitimate questions about that connection. He was on Spurrier?s staff from 1991 to 1995. However, during that time, Zook was actually demoted from defensive coordinator (1993) to special teams coach (1994).

These two factors, which were widely known by Gator fans, made it difficult to win over a skeptical Gator nation. It is no surprise then that a web site sprang up asking for Zook?s ouster almost immediately.

Zook proved to be a whirling dervish of enthusiasm. This trait and his tireless effort made him a great recruiter and his classes annually were ranked among the best in the nation by recruiting experts.

His recruiting success quieted his critics temporarily, but in the end only led to more questions. Given the talent level, why weren?t the Gators winning like they did under Spurrier?

In the end, Zook couldn?t measure up to "the old ball coach" on the field. His teams lost games they shouldn?t and couldn?t win enough of the big ones to keep the boosters happy. He couldn?t seem to win against Tennessee or Florida State, rivals that Spurrier had done well against. He didn?t seem to coach well in bowl games.

Zook may have been able to put off the executioner?s axe for a little while longer with a good season, but this one turned into his toughest one yet. With the refs help, he lost again to Tennessee. His team also had a complete meltdown against LSU. The final straw turned out to be one of the universities worst losses, a stunning defeat at the hands of Mississippi State. The same Mississippi State that lost to Maine earlier this season.

On top of this, Zook was the central figure of frat-gate. Apparently, Zook decided it was wise to go to a fraternity house where a conflict between his players and fraternity members had happened the night before. This was not a bright decision for anyone, much less for a coach whose popularity was questionable and job status was less then guaranteed.

What he hoped to accomplish is questionable, but the results were an embarrassing confrontation that inevitably made it into the media and provided another reason or excuse for the University to end its relationship with Zook.

And so Zook will serve out the remainder of this season as a lame duck coach, while Athletic Director Jeremy Foley begins the search for Zook?s replacement.

It shouldn?t be a hard sale. Florida is still an elite job, has wonderful facilities, a great fan base, is located in one of the nation?s best recruiting areas and it plays in a premier conference.

Big names will once again be linked to the opening. Stoops and Shanahan might be considered candidates again. Hot shots with their career arcs on the upswing like Urban Meyer and Bobby Petrino will vie for what could be their dream job. And of course, there is the shadow of the visor hanging over the Swamp.

One thing for sure, whoever the Gators select will have a much easier road this time around. It is a lot easier to replace Ron Zook then a legend.