January 12, 2016
Screen capture/ YouTube
Neshaminy High School basketball coach Jerry Devine appeared to head-butt a referee in this video posted to YouTube. The incident occurred during a game with Pennsbury High School on Jan. 5, 2016.
Jerry Devine had his 15 minutes last week, but certainly not in the manner anyone would hope for.
The 10-year head coach of the Neshaminy High School boys basketball team bumped an official in a game against Pennsbury, and just like that, a random Suburban One League game became a major story not only in Philly, but nationally. Devine went viral.
Initially, there were questions if the incident could cost Devine his teaching job at the school. That doesn’t appear to be happening. Here is a statement from the school district (via COBL):
Neshaminy High School teacher Jerry Devine is returning to his teaching position at the high school effective immediately. Mr. Devine had been on administrative leave since an incident at a varsity basketball game on January 5, 2016 involving himself and a referee. At that time he was also indefinitely suspended as head coach of the boys’ varsity basketball team.
His status as coach remains unchanged.
As this is still an ongoing personnel matter, the District will not be releasing any additional information about this case at this time.
What about his coaching job, though? Calkins Media’s Kevin Cooney and Joan Hellyer are reporting that is very much in jeopardy:
Sources within the Neshaminy administration told Calkins Media on Monday night that an announcement will come Tuesday that Devine, the 10-year coach of the varsity program, will no longer serve as boys basketball coach at the district's high school but will keep his job as a special education teacher provided nothing additional takes place that would compromise the situation.
The Neshaminy school board is scheduled to meet tonight. However, no personnel actions were listed on the board's agenda as of this morning.
Interim Neshaminy boys basketball coach John Mason will remain as coach for the rest of the season. Mason informed me in a text message.
— Jarrad Saffren (@JarradSaff) January 12, 2016
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
