The recent arrest of former University of Michigan assistant football coach Matt Weiss has sent shockwaves through the collegiate sports community. Weiss, who also served with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, faces federal charges for allegedly hacking into the accounts of over 3,000 female college athletes to obtain intimate photos and videos. The indictment outlines 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft, with the alleged activities spanning from 2015 until his dismissal from Michigan in 2023 Weiss’s methods reportedly involved accessing databases of more than 100 colleges and universities, maintained by third-party vendors. He allegedly targeted female athletes based on their school affiliation, athletic history, and physical characteristics, aiming to acquire private photographs and videos not intended for public viewing . The indictment further alleges that Weiss kept detailed notes on individuals, including comments on their bodies and sexual preferences .n response to these allegations, two former University of Michigan female athletes have filed a federal lawsuit against Weiss, the university, and other associated entities. The plaintiffs, a former women’s gymnastics team member and a former women’s soccer team member, claim that the university’s negligence allowed Weiss to invade their privacy. The lawsuit alleges violations of Title IX and contends that the university’s indifference created a heightened risk of sexual harassment .As of now, there has been no public statement from Jim Harbaugh, the former head coach of the University of Michigan football team, regarding Weiss’s arrest. Harbaugh, who left Michigan to coach the Los Angeles Chargers after winning a national championship in January 2024, has previously emphasized his commitment to integrity. In August 2024, amid separate NCAA allegations, Harbaugh stated, “Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal. I was raised with that lesson. I have raised my family on that lesson. I have preached that lesson to the teams that I have coached” .The university has also refrained from commenting on the pending litigation, with Kay Jarvis, the director of public affairs for the University of Michigan, stating, “We have not been served with the complaint and cannot comment on pending litigation” .Weiss has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond . If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison for each count of unauthorized access and a mandatory two-year minimum for each count of aggravated identity theft .This case underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity and the protection of personal information, especially within educational institutions. The allegations have raised significant concerns about the adequacy of current safeguards and the need for more stringent measures to protect students’ privacy. As the legal proceedings continue, the university community and the public await further developments and responses from involved parties.
