Les Miles Resignation Rumors Circulate on Twitter

Dec 31, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles celebrates with fans during the team walk at FanFest prior to the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports /

An ugly rumor began to circulate on Twitter Saturday evening that had people questioning the future of LSU Tigers football coach Les Miles. The negative side of social media was on full display when a baseless rumor that Miles was having an affair with a student that would force him to resign as coach started with one simple tweet and then the rumor spread like a wildfire.

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Here was the start of the rumor:

So you’re telling me a student reporter from Western Kentucky got such a big scoop? Luckily for Miles and the LSU faithful, the rumor was just that. Miles has no intentions of stepping down as head coach and according to a source close to him he said there is nothing to the affair rumors.

Let this be another lesson to us all about the dangers of social media. Just because you see a story on Twitter, it does not make it true. Remember, any schmuck with a keyboard can spark a rumor like this that has the potential to damage reputations.

UPDATE: It has been confirmed that there was no truth to Mr. McGaw’s rumor.