New York, NY -- Columbia University announced Sunday morning that head football coach Bob Shoop has been relieved of his duties.

A national search for a replacement will begin immediately.

"We are thankful for the effort and hard work that coach Shoop has contributed to the Columbia University football program over the past three years," said athletics director Dr. M. Dianne Murphy. "Making a decision of this nature is always difficult. That being said, in order to achieve the goals that we have set for the Columbia football program, we believe that it is necessary and appropriate to make a change in leadership at this time."

Columbia is fresh off a 52-21 loss to Brown, giving the Lions a 2-8 record and an 0-7 mark in the Ivy League this season. In three seasons under Shoop, Columbia went 7-23, including a 4-17 mark in conference play.

Shoop guided the Lions to a 2-0 start in 2005, but endured an eight-game losing streak to end the season.

"The athletics program at Columbia is committed to the pursuit of academic and athletic excellence, and our record of performance in football this year has been unacceptable," said Murphy.