Detroit, Michigan – A former NFL and University of Michigan assistant football coach faces serious charges after allegedly hacking into the computer accounts of thousands of college athletes to obtain intimate photos and videos. Matt Weiss, who previously worked for the Baltimore Ravens before joining the University of Michigan in 2021, has been indicted on 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft. The indictment, filed in federal court in Detroit, paints a troubling picture of Weiss’s actions.
According to the indictment, from 2015 to 2023, Weiss gained unauthorized access to databases of more than 100 colleges and universities, downloading personal information and medical data of over 150,000 athletes. The document describes Weiss as a skilled hacker who was able to crack encryption and access social media, email, and cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 athletes and 1,300 students or alumni. The indictment also reveals that Weiss specifically targeted female college athletes, researching and selecting them based on their school affiliation, athletic history, and physical attributes in an attempt to obtain private photos and videos.
During his time at Michigan, Weiss was terminated as co-offensive coordinator in 2023 after he failed to cooperate with the school’s investigation into his computer activities. Authorities have been aware of Weiss’s actions for two years, with his Ann Arbor home being searched by police in January 2023. Despite his previous claims of cooperation, Weiss now faces the legal consequences of his alleged hacking activities.
Julie Beck, the acting U.S. attorney in Detroit, has vowed to vigorously prosecute cases of computer hacking to protect the privacy of individuals. The case highlights the growing concerns surrounding cybersecurity and the importance of safeguarding private information stored online. As the legal process unfolds, the implications of Weiss’s actions on the college sports community and the broader implications of cybersecurity breaches are sure to be closely monitored.