MACJC Official Reportedly Throws Clipboard, Punch at Coach Buddy Stephens

A junior college football official reportedly threw a clipboard and a punch at East Mississippi Community College head coach Buddy Stephens during a game Saturday.

The official was ejected for his actions, and Stephens was asked to leave the field of play, according to a firsthand account from WCBI-TV sports director Robby Donoho.

Stephens' Lions were playing against Itawamba Community College and managed to win the game 48-24 despite the bizarre controversy. Per Donoho, the altercation between Stephens and the official stemmed from a dispute regarding where Lions coaches were standing on the sidelines.

After the official told Stephens and his staff to back up, the head coach allegedly told him to "shut up" and directed an expletive at him.

That led to the official shoving Stephens near the sideline and storming back onto the field, whereupon Stephens followed him and pushed back. The official then allegedly tossed his clipboard at Stephens and took a swing at him, grazing him with his left hand.

As Robby Kalland of CBS Sports pointed out, East Mississippi Community College has produced notable high-profile transfer products such as Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly. This year's offense has hardly missed a beat in averaging 53.2 points per contest thus far.

The Lions improved to 4-1 on the 2015 season with their victory. It remains to be seen whether Stephens' episode prompts any disciplinary action from the Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges.

Note: Team information courtesy of EMCCAthletics.com.