Department of Justice announces multiple charges against former Michigan co-OC Matt Weiss

The United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan have released a statement outlining an indictment of former Michigan quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss. He is charged with unauthorized access to computers and aggravated identity theft, per the release.

The FBI has been investigating Weiss for months, per the release, and Michigan fired him after the news of the investigation first emerged. Weiss served as the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2021 before he was elevated to co-offensive coordinator in 2022.

According to the release, U.S. Attorney’s Office hit Weiss with a 24-count indictment, alleging 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. More details were provided, too.

Weiss’ alleged infractions began in approximately 2015 and lasted until January 2023. He gained unauthorized access to student athlete databases of more than 100 colleges and universities maintained by a third-party vendor.

Per the release, Weiss is alleged to have downloaded personal information and medical data of more than 150,000 athletes. He was also reportedly able to obtain access to social media, e-mail or cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 athletes.

The letter then details the bulk of the allegation against Weiss: “[He] downloaded personal, intimate digital photographs and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond intimate partners.” Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck commented on the case publicly in the letter.

“Our office will move aggressively to prosecute computer hacking to protect the private accounts of our citizens,” Beck said. “We stand ready with our law enforcement partners to bring those who illegally invade the privacy of others to justice.”

The FBI also commented. That came after months of investigation.

“Today’s indictment of Matthew Weiss underscores the commitment and meticulous investigative efforts of our law enforcement professionals,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. “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.”

The Department of Justice also noted that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. It is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. After the university fired him, Matt Weiss took to social media to release a statement on the decision.

“I am proud of the success we achieved over the last two seasons and grateful to all of the Michigan players, coaches, and staff. The potential of Team 144 knows no bounds,” Weiss wrote. “I have nothing but respect for the University of Michigan and the people who make it such a great place. I look forward to putting this matter behind me and returning my focus to the game that I love.”

The 2022 season was Weiss’ only year as Michigan’s offensive coordinator after previously serving as the Wolverines’ quarterbacks coach in 2021. Before that, he spent a decade with the Baltimore Ravens, working his way up from head coach assistant and quality control coach to running backs coach from 2019-20.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.