Philadelphia

Coach Fired After Confronting Ref Pleads Guilty to Harrassment

A suburban Philadelphia high school basketball coach who was fired for physically confronting a referee has pleaded guilty to a harassment citation.

Court records show former Neshaminy High School coach Jerry Devine pleaded guilty Jan. 27 by mailing in the citation and paying a $300 fine plus $156 in courts costs.

Devine mailed in his plea a day after the school board in Bucks County voted to remove him as head coach of the boys' varsity team.

Devine was ejected after physically confronting a referee following a foul call Jan. 5. Video footage published by CityofBasketballLove.com appears to show Devine head-butting the ref and knocking him to the ground.

He was suspended from his coaching duties, but was allowed to return to his job as a special education teacher.

Prosecutors eventually recommended the harassment citation for Devine, saying there was no attempt to cause injury when he pushed down the referee.

According to the Bucks County district attorney's office, harassment is punishable by a jail sentence of up to 90 days, but jail time is unlikely in Devine's case.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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