Former Michigan assistant Matt Weiss formally charged for unauthorized computer access, identity theft
Former Michigan Wolverines quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss was charged on Thursday with 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft, according to a press release from The U.S. Department of Justice.
Weiss was dismissed by Michigan on Jan. 20, 2023 days after being put on administrative leave after “computer access crimes” were reported in Dec. 2022 on the Wolverine assistant. Thursday’s statement says that Weiss accessed private, illicit photos of student-athletes between 2015 and 2023.
“After a review of University policies, the athletic department has terminated the appointment of co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss,” Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel said of his dismissal at the time.
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The release from the DOJ read:
According to the indictment, between approximately 2015 and January 2023, Weiss gained unauthorized access to student athlete databases of more than 100 colleges and universities that were maintained by a third-party vendor. After gaining access to these databases, Weiss downloaded the personally identifiable information and medical data of more than 150,000 athletes. Using the information that he obtained from the student athlete databases and his own internet research, Weiss was able to obtain access to the social media, email, and/or cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 target athletes. Weiss also illegally obtained 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, he downloaded personal, intimate digital photographs and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond intimate partners.
“Our office will move aggressively to prosecute computer hacking to protect the private accounts of our citizens,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck. “We stand ready with our law enforcement partners to bring those who illegally invade the privacy of others to justice.”
“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.”
Weiss has not coached since his dismissal. He worked under Jim Harbaugh’s staff at Michigan during the 2021-22 seasons.
He released a statement after Michigan dismissed him in Jan. 2023, reading:
“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. 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.”
