Federal prosecutors have presented compelling evidence against former Michigan co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss, alleging that he hacked into the personal accounts of over 3,300 student athletes, including many women, across more than 100 universities in the United States. This evidence includes dozens of photographs showing Weiss entering various team offices shortly before the alleged breaches, according to a search warrant affidavit filed by the FBI in a Detroit federal court.
The indictment against Weiss, dated March 20, outlines a serious breach of trust, as he is accused of stealing private photos and videos from the victims. As part of the ongoing legal proceedings, prosecutors have submitted security footage that demonstrates Weiss accessing football facilities and using computers in the quarterbacks and tight ends meeting rooms to perpetrate the crimes.
In a counter to the charges, Weiss’s legal team has made multiple attempts to have the case dismissed, arguing issues with the constitutionality of the search warrants issued by the University of Michigan Police Department and the subsequent discovery of evidence by the FBI. These attempts included filing two motions in recent months questioning the validity of the warrants and the methods used to gather evidence.
Federal prosecutors argue that Weiss is not directly challenging the legitimacy of the FBI’s warrant but is instead focusing on the procedural aspects of the case. They noted that Weiss has not claimed the warrant was unwarranted or lacked specificity, nor has he disputed the evidence linking him to the unauthorized access charges.
In addition to the criminal charges, Weiss faces a civil lawsuit from over 70 women, who contend that he hacked into their private accounts for illicit purposes. Weiss, who served as the offensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh, was terminated in February 2023 following these serious allegations.
The case continues to unfold, bringing to light the broader issue of privacy and trust within collegiate sports programs. The ongoing legal battles highlight the deep legal ramifications that can arise from breaches of ethical conduct, particularly in environments where trust is paramount.