Burlington High Football Coach Placed On Leave For Alleged Verbal Misconduct

BURLINGTON (CBS) -- The head varsity football coach at Burlington High School has been placed on paid administrative leave after allegations of inappropriate verbal conduct toward players.

Burlington Public Schools said coach Shawn Maguire was placed on leave pending an investigation by the school administration.

In a release, Superintendent Dr. Eric Conti said the administration learned of the allegations this week, and met with Maguire to let him know he would be placed on leave.

"I understand that there may be many questions, and I want to thank our community members for their patience and support while this investigation is underway," Dr. Conti said in a statement Wednesday. "The Burlington Public Schools is a safe and welcoming educational community, and we take any allegations of inappropriate verbal actions or behavior seriously."

The exact nature of the alleged verbal misconduct wasn't released.

Sources told WBZ-TV's Jim Smith there are no allegations of physical abuse.

"We are confident that once the investigation is completed, the school system will find he has done nothing wrong," a lawyer for Maguire said.

Maguire played football at Burlington High in the early 80s. He has been a coach at the school for more than 20 years.