Former NFL, Michigan Assistant Coach Charged With Hacking For Athletes' Intimate Photos
A shocking scandal has rocked the sports world as a former NFL and University of Michigan assistant football coach, Matt Weiss, has been charged with hacking into the computer accounts of thousands of college athletes to access intimate photos and videos. According to an indictment filed in federal court in Detroit on Thursday, Weiss was accused of 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft.
Weiss, who worked for the Baltimore Ravens before joining Michigan's staff in 2021 as a co-offensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh, had been under scrutiny for over two years. His Ann Arbor home was searched by police in January 2023, just days before he was fired from his position.
The indictment revealed that Weiss gained access to the databases of more than 100 colleges and universities maintained by a third-party vendor, Keffer Development Services, between 2015 and 2023. He then downloaded personal information and medical data of over 150,000 athletes, including social media, email, and cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 student-athletes.
According to the indictment, Weiss primarily targeted female college athletes 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. The coach kept notes on photos and videos he downloaded, including details about the bodies and sexual preferences of his targets.
“Weiss 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,” the indictment stated.
The charges are a serious breach of trust, particularly given Weiss's position as an assistant coach at Michigan. The university has faced criticism for not taking adequate measures to protect its athletes' personal data.
"Our office will move aggressively to prosecute computer hacking to protect the private accounts of our citizens," said Julie Beck, the acting U.S. attorney in Detroit. "No one is above the law, and we will continue to hold accountable those who abuse their power to commit these heinous crimes."
A Look at Weiss's Background
Weiss had a decade-long career as an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens under coach John Harbaugh. After working for the Ravens, he joined Michigan's staff in 2021 to work with Jim Harbaugh.
Despite his long tenure and seemingly normal background, Weiss was under scrutiny for over two years before being fired from Michigan. The university had been investigating his access to computers, but no charges were filed until now.
The Impact on Athletes
The indictment highlights the devastating impact of Weiss's actions on the athletes he targeted. The college athletes' personal data was accessed without consent, and their intimate photos and videos were shared without permission.
The incident raises questions about the security measures in place at Michigan and other colleges and universities to protect student-athletes' sensitive information. It also underscores the need for greater awareness and education about online safety and digital citizenship among college athletes.
A Call to Action
As this scandal unfolds, it's essential for institutions of higher learning to take proactive steps to safeguard their students' personal data. This includes implementing robust security measures, providing regular training on online safety, and establishing clear policies on data protection.
Furthermore, athletes must be aware of the risks associated with online sharing and take steps to protect themselves. By working together, we can create a safer and more secure environment for college athletes to thrive.