Former Michigan football coach Matt Weiss, 42, has pleaded not guilty to charges of hacking the personal information of thousands of athletes and stealing “intimate” photos and videos. Weiss was fired from his coaching position under former head coach Jim Harbaugh following an investigation into the alleged crimes. The 24-count federal indictment accuses Weiss of gaining unauthorized access to student athlete databases of over 100 colleges and universities from 2015 to 2023. He allegedly downloaded personal information and data of more than 150,000 athletes and accessed the information of more than 2,000 athletes, including their social media, email, and cloud storage.
Weiss is accused of using the stolen information to download “personal, intimate digital photographs and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond intimate partners.” He is facing 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. Each unauthorized access charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while each identity theft count has a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Weiss was a co-offensive coordinator for the Wolverines team that won the Big Ten and reached the College Football Playoff in 2022. He also worked under Harbaugh at Stanford and on John Harbaugh’s staff at the Baltimore Ravens.
Despite the charges against him, Weiss has pleaded not guilty to any wrongdoing. The former coach is denying the allegations of hacking and data theft, and he is prepared to fight the charges in court. The indictment against Weiss alleges that he gained unauthorized access to sensitive personal information of thousands of athletes across various colleges and universities. This breach of security is a serious offense that could result in significant penalties if he is found guilty. Weiss’s reputation as a successful football coach has been tarnished by these allegations, and his future in the sports industry remains uncertain.
Weiss’s arrest and subsequent indictment have sent shockwaves through the sports community, as the allegations of hacking and data theft are seen as serious breaches of trust. The accusations of accessing personal, intimate photos and videos of athletes without their consent have raised concerns about privacy and security in the world of college sports. The federal charges against Weiss highlight the potential consequences of cybercrimes and the importance of protecting sensitive personal information from unauthorized access. The case against Weiss serves as a cautionary tale for those who may be tempted to misuse their access to private data for personal gain.
Weiss’s legal battle is ongoing, and he will need to defend himself against the federal charges of unauthorized access to computers and aggravated identity theft. The former football coach faces the possibility of significant prison time and hefty fines if he is convicted of the crimes he is accused of committing. The outcome of Weiss’s trial will have far-reaching implications for his future career prospects and reputation in the sports industry. As the case unfolds, the public will be watching closely to see how the legal proceedings play out and what the ultimate verdict will be.
