A former NFL and University of Michigan assistant football coach has been accused of hacking into the computer accounts of numerous college athletes in search of private photos and videos, as stated in an indictment filed on Thursday.
Matt Weiss, who previously worked for the Baltimore Ravens before joining the University of Michigan staff in 2021, is facing 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft, according to the federal court indictment in Detroit.
This case dates back to Weiss’ time from 2015 to 2023, during which he allegedly accessed the databases of over 100 colleges and universities maintained by a third-party vendor and obtained personal information and medical data of more than 150,000 athletes.
The indictment describes Weiss as skilled in technology, claiming that he managed to crack encryption protecting passwords with the help of internet research. He reportedly gained entry into the social media, email, and cloud storage accounts of over 2,000 athletes and more than 1,300 students or alumni from various schools nationwide.
Furthermore, the document states that Weiss specifically targeted female college athletes, selecting them based on their school affiliations, athletic backgrounds, and physical attributes. His objective was to acquire private photos and videos intended only for intimate partners.
According to the indictment, Weiss kept detailed notes on the images and videos he downloaded, making comments on the individuals’ bodies and sexual preferences. He allegedly revisited these accounts years later in search of new content.
Acting U.S. Attorney in Detroit, Julie Beck, expressed determination to prosecute computer hacking cases to safeguard the privacy of citizens’ online accounts.
Weiss was dismissed from his position as Michigan’s co-offensive coordinator in 2023 after failing to cooperate with the school’s investigation into his computer activities. Despite this, his attorney, Doug Mullkoff, has not responded to requests for comments on the recent allegations.
Following over a decade as an assistant coach with the Ravens under John Harbaugh, Weiss transitioned to the University of Michigan to work under Jim Harbaugh. The investigation into his actions became public knowledge two years ago when his home in Ann Arbor was searched by law enforcement before his termination.
As the legal process unfolds, the timing of Weiss’ initial court appearance on the charges remains uncertain. However, authorities are committed to pursuing the case vigorously to uphold the cybersecurity of individuals and prevent similar breaches in the future.