The Neshaminy High School teacher who appeared to head-butt a referee during a boys’ varsity basketball game last week is returning to work.
In a statement released around 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, Neshaminy School District officials said basketball coach Jerry Devine “is returning to his teaching position at the high school effective immediately.”
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Neshaminy placed Devine on paid administrative leave last Wednesday morning. The incident between Devine and the referee happened last Tuesday evening at the Pennsbury game.
Devine, who teaches emotional support classes and has been praised by former students for his skills in the classroom, remains indefinitely suspended as head coach of the boys’ basketball team. He has led the team for the past 10 years.
Devine could still face criminal charges for the incident. Pennsylvania law has a provision that marks alleged assaults against sports officials as a first-degree misdemeanor separate than a regular simple assault charge.
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A police investigation into last week’s incident where Devine appears to head-but the referee remains open. Investigators have spoken to both the referee and Devine.
Both Devine and the referee have spoke with attorneys in regards to the case.
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Video of the incident was posted to Twitter shortly after the Tuesday evening game. A basketball niche website and LevittowNow.com obtained video of the incident, which quickly spread to outlets like ESPN, NBC News and The Los Angeles Times. A second angle of the incident was later posted by Levittown radio station WBCB, which broadcast the game on-air and online.
“The athletic program at Neshaminy places the values of fair play and sportsmanlike conduct above all. We expect our coaches and staff to teach and uphold those principles, while acting in a professional manner at all times,” a statement issued from Neshaminy last week read.
