Coach fired for confronting ref pleads guilty to harassment

LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) 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 coach Jerry Devine pleaded guilty by mailing in the citation and paying a $300 fine plus $156 in courts cost.

He did that Jan. 27, a day after the school board in Bucks County voted to remove Devine as head coach of the boys' varsity team.

Devine was ejected after physically confronting a referee Jan. 5 after a foul call. 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.