Getting a jump on the team’s search for a new coach, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross fired Tony Sparano on Monday after becoming convinced that speculation about his job was becoming a distraction.

Todd Bowles, the Dolphins’ assistant head coach/secondary coach, will become the team’s interim coach for the final three games. Ross also confirmed a Miami Herald report that Jeff Ireland will remain the general manager and reiterated that finding a quarterback this offseason is “essential.”

Ross decided after Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia that Sparano would not return in 2012. But Ross decided Monday morning that it was counterproductive for Sparano to coach the final three games of this season.

“There’s been a lot of distractions, a lot of speculation with regard to if Tony will stay, if Tony will go,” Ross said. “In the interests of the team, and the development of this team, this is the time we need to make a change. It really became much of a distraction. It will allow us to have plenty of time to interview and find what I hope will be the coach that will lead us back to the glory of the past.”

Ross said he and Ireland “will work together” in the search for a new coach, which will begin immediately. According to sources, Ross prefers to hire a big-name coach and proven winner, with Bill Cowher very high on the Dolphins’ list. But Cowher, who won a Super Bowl with Pittsburgh, has said he plans to remain in television.

ESPN announcer Jon Gruden, former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher and former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick are among others expected to be on Miami’s radar.

Ross said Bowles also will be interviewed. Bowles, who is black, would fulfill the NFL’s Rooney Rule requiring that at least one minority candidate is interviewed.

“I’d like to find a young Don Shula if that’s possible,” Ross said. “We are open to everything. We will look at everybody, interview them, and try to find the person we think will be the best fit.”

Asked how he would handle it if a new coach wants to be in charge of personnel, Ross said, “We’re looking for the best head coach. Jeff is in charge of personnel. It’s important the head coach and general manager be able to work together. So you’re not going to find somebody who has a conflict to start with.”

What if a coach that Ross covets does not want to work with Ireland? A team source said the organization believes that could be worked out by getting both men in a room, and Ross making a convincing case for them to work together.

Former Kansas City Chiefs president Carl Peterson is expected to continue advising Ross as a friend, but both men denied an ESPN report that Peterson will become the team’s executive vice president/football operations — a role Bill Parcells held before his resignation 16 months ago. “That [report] is inaccurate,” Peterson said by phone.

Sparano was not informed of his dismissal until after his Monday morning news conference. During that press briefing, he declined to comment on a Miami Herald report that he would not be retained as coach for 2012.

“I want to coach against the Buffalo Bills this week,” he said. “I can’t wait to get my team back here Wednesday and get ready to go.”