Ex-Coach at Major College Football Program Indicted for Disturbing Hacks of ‘Intimate’ Photos
A former co-offensive coordinator for the University of Michigan football team has been indicted for disturbing claims that spanned nearly a decade.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Matt Weiss, 42, allegedly gained unauthorized access to student-athlete databases of more than 100 colleges and universities that were maintained by a third-party vendor. The federal indictment states Weiss then proceeded to download the personally identifiable information and medical data of more than 150,000 athletes.
Federal prosecutors allege Weiss was also able to obtain access to the social media, email, and/or cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 target athletes. Weiss is also accused of illegally obtaining access to the social media, email, and/or cloud storage accounts of more than 1,300 additional students and/or alumni from universities across the country.
Once Weiss obtained access to these accounts, federal prosecutors allege in the 24-count indictment, he downloaded personal, intimate digital photos and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond intimate partners.
Related: Jonathan Majors Makes Disturbing Admission in Unearthed Audio Clip
Weiss has been charged with 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Weiss faces up to five years in prison on each count of unauthorized access to computers, and two years on each count of aggravated identity theft.
Weiss began his career at Michigan in 2021 as quarterbacks coach. He was elevated to co-offensive coordinator the following year. Weiss shared play-calling duties when J.J. McCarthy played quarterback at Michigan.
The indictment comes more than two years after ESPN reported Weiss had been fired amid an investigation by university police for "a report of computer access crimes" at the school's football facility.
At the time, the outlet reported that the school fired Weiss "after a review of University policies." Weiss reportedly made $850,000 in base salary. He was set to receive $400,000 in bonuses prior to his firing.