Pennsylvania high school coach appears to knock down referee with head-butt [Video]

A referee who fell to the floor after apparently being head-butted during a Pennsylvania high school basketball game was able to finish his job Tuesday night. The coach who appears to have caused the fall was not.

In fact, Neshaminy Coach Jerry Devine won’t be able to coach -- or teach -- again until the situation gets sorted out. Devine was placed on administrative leave by the Neshaminy School District on Wednesday morning after video of the incident was posted online.

“The administration at Neshaminy School District is conducting a thorough review of an incident at the varsity basketball game Tuesday evening (January 5, 2016) involving coach Jerry Devine and a referee,” the district said in a statement. “Appropriate action was taken at the game following that incident, and further measures may follow depending on the outcome of that review.”

Devine was arguing a foul against his team late in a game against Pennsbury when he was called for a technical foul. He immediately turned to the referee who called the technical and appeared to head-butt him.

Devine can be seen in one video looking at the referee on the floor and gesturing with his hand as if to downplay what had just happened.

Chris Ermer, a broadcaster who works for WBCB 1490 radio in Lower Bucks County, which live-streamed the game, told ESPN that Pennsbury was leading by four points when the incident occurred.

“The coach went crazy,” Ermer said. “He came out and made contact with the official and took him off his feet. He was indicating with his body language that he didn’t mean to do it.”

Ermer added: “You can’t say he didn’t intend to make contact, but I don’t think he was trying to head-butt the ref.”

Pending the investigation, Devine could get from a one-game suspension to a lifetime ban, according to Sporting News.

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