Ex-Michigan Coach Accused of Hacking Athletes' Data for 'Intimate' Photos, Videos Faces Federal Indictment

A shocking scandal has unfolded in the world of college sports, as a former Michigan Wolverines coach has been accused of hacking into the personal data of thousands of athletes and stealing intimate photos and videos. Matt Weiss, 42, is facing a 24-count federal indictment for allegedly committing these crimes over the course of nearly eight years.

Weiss was fired from his coaching position under former head coach Jim Harbaugh in 2021, following an investigation into the alleged hacking incidents. However, it wasn't until Thursday that prosecutors announced the indictment, more than two years after Weiss's termination.

"This case is a prime example of the devastating consequences of cybercrime," said Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck in a statement. "Our office will move aggressively to prosecute computer hacking to protect the private accounts of our citizens. We stand ready with our law enforcement partners to bring those who illegally invade the privacy of others to justice."

According to the indictment, Weiss gained unauthorized access to student athlete databases of more than 100 colleges and universities that were maintained by a third-party vendor between 2015 and January 2023. He then allegedly downloaded personal information and data of more than 150,000 athletes, including access to their social media, email, and cloud storage.

Weiss's actions allowed him to access the sensitive information of over 2,000 athletes, including intimate photos and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond close partners. The FBI has described Weiss's behavior as a "grave invasion of privacy" and has vowed to hold him accountable for his actions.

"We have worked tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to bring Matthew Weiss to justice," said FBI Special Agent Cheyvoryea Gibson in a statement. "The FBI Detroit Cyber Task Force, in close collaboration with the University of Michigan Police Department, worked relentlessly on this case to safeguard and protect our community."

Weiss is facing 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft, with maximum sentences of five years imprisonment for each of the unauthorized access charges and up to two years for each count of identity theft.

The news has sent shockwaves through the sports world, as fans and athletes alike grapple with the implications of Weiss's actions. The University of Michigan has issued a statement condemning Weiss's behavior and promising to take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how Weiss will plead to the charges against him. However, one thing is certain: his actions have had a lasting impact on the athletes he was entrusted with, and the sports world will not soon forget this scandal.

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