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Basketball Coach Placed On Administrative Leave After Referee Confrontation

NESHAMINY, Pa., (CBS) -- Neshaminy High School basketball coach Jerry Devine has been placed on a leave of absence by school officials after a confrontation with a referee during a game Tuesday night that ended with the ref sprawled on the floor.

Video broadcast by WBCB shows Devine going onto the court toward a referee in the tense closing moments of a game with Pennsbury after a foul was called on one of his players.

Moments later, a ref topples onto the floor, landing on his back.

Veteran WBCB sportcaster Vince Reed, broadcasting from courtside, says it appears Devine accidentally bumped the ref and did not deliberately "head butt" him or try to knock him down.

In addition to the investigation by Neshaminy school officials, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association is also investigating and has decided the coach must "sit out" the next game.

Middletown Police say they are looking into the incident to determine if any laws were broken, however, they say they were not called to the school and the referee, who was not injured, has not filed a complaint.

Devine, who according to school records has taught in the district for 15 years, including 10 as Varsity Basketball coach, was not available for comment.

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