DETROIT —
Former NFL and University of Michigan assistant football coach Matt Weiss has been accused of hacking into the computer accounts of thousands of college athletes in an attempt to obtain intimate photos and videos, according to an indictment filed on Thursday.
Weiss, who had previously worked for the Baltimore Ravens before joining the University of Michigan in 2021, is facing charges of 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft. The indictment was filed in federal court in Detroit.
The former co-offensive coordinator at Michigan was fired in 2023 after failing to cooperate with the school’s investigation into his unauthorized access to computers. Phone and email messages seeking comment from Weiss’ attorney, Doug Mullkoff, were not immediately returned on Thursday.
According to the indictment, from 2015 to 2023, Weiss gained access to databases of over 100 colleges and universities maintained by a third-party vendor. He then proceeded to infiltrate the social media, email, and cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 athletes, with a focus on targeting female college athletes.
The indictment stated, “He researched and targeted these women based on their school affiliation, athletic history, and physical characteristics. His goal was to obtain private photographs and videos never intended to be shared beyond intimate partners.”
Weiss’s move to Michigan in 2021 came after over a decade as an assistant coach with the Ravens, working under coach John Harbaugh. Despite the public scrutiny he faced for the past two years, it wasn’t until January 2023 that his Ann Arbor home was searched by police, leading to his eventual termination.
At the time of his termination, Weiss mentioned that he was cooperating with the investigation and looked forward to resolving the matter. However, his initial court appearance on the charges has yet to be determined.
Acting U.S. Attorney in Detroit, Julie Beck, emphasized the importance of prosecuting computer hacking to protect the private accounts of citizens. She stated, “Our office will move aggressively to prosecute computer hacking to protect the private accounts of our citizens.”
The allegations against Matt Weiss have stirred controversy and raised concerns about the privacy and security of athletes’ personal data. The impact of his actions on the victims involved, as well as the broader implications for cybersecurity and athlete safety, remain to be seen as the case unfolds.