Former University of Michigan football coach Matthew Weiss is facing serious charges after allegedly hacking into the personal accounts of student-athletes to access private photos. Federal prosecutors say Weiss, 42, illegally accessed databases containing personal information from more than 100 colleges and universities between 2015 and early 2023.
According to a 24-count indictment, he faces 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he could spend years in federal prison—each hacking charge carries a maximum of five years, while identity theft charges come with a mandatory two-year sentence.
Authorities say Weiss, who previously worked for the Baltimore Ravens, specifically targeted female college athletes. He allegedly researched their school affiliations, athletic backgrounds, and physical characteristics before hacking their accounts to steal private photos and videos. In some cases, prosecutors claim he kept detailed notes on the women, even returning to their accounts months or years later to look for more content.
“We are committed to aggressively prosecuting computer hacking and protecting people’s private information,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck. The FBI Cyber Task Force and University of Michigan Police spent months investigating, with FBI Special Agent Cheyvoryea Gibson calling it a relentless effort to bring Weiss to justice.
The University of Michigan fired Weiss in January 2023, citing inappropriate access to computer accounts. Now, federal prosecutors Timothy Wyse and Patrick Corbett will handle the case in court, and investigators say they’re determined to hold him accountable.
