DOJ Uncovers Thousands of Intimate Images in Hacking Probe of Ex-Michigan Coach
DETROIT – The U.S. Department of Justice has revealed that investigators have seized thousands of “candid and intimate” photos and videos from former University of Michigan assistant coach Matt Weiss’s electronic devices and cloud storage accounts. Weiss, who previously spent more than a decade with the Baltimore Ravens before joining Michigan’s coaching staff, now faces a 24‑count federal indictment alleging 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft.
A Decade-Long Scheme
According to court filings and an email distributed by the Justice Department’s Mega Victim Case Assistance Program, Weiss is accused of launching a multi-year hacking operation beginning in 2015 and continuing until January 2023. During this period, he allegedly targeted the personal accounts of over 2,000 college athletes, as well as more than 1,300 additional students and alumni from various U.S. institutions. The indictment states that Weiss specifically focused on female college athletes, researching potential victims based on their school affiliation, athletic history, and even physical characteristics. Investigators claim he kept detailed notes on the images he viewed—including commentary on the subjects’ bodies and sexual preferences—and would return to accounts months or even years later in search of additional content.
Breaching Student-Athlete Data
Weiss reportedly gained unauthorized entry to student-athlete databases managed by over 100 colleges through a third-party vendor, Keffer Development Services. By compromising these systems, he downloaded personal, medical, and identifying information for more than 150,000 athletes, information which he then leveraged to access their social media, email, and cloud storage accounts. In one statement, the Justice Department noted:
“Thousands of candid, intimate photographs and videos have been seized from the defendant’s electronic devices and from his cloud storage accounts. Many show victims naked. Some show victims engaged in explicit sexual acts.”
Legal Fallout and Response
After an internal investigation led to his dismissal from Michigan in January 2023, Weiss has since maintained a not-guilty plea. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison for each count of unauthorized computer access and up to two years for each count of aggravated identity theft—sentences that would likely run consecutively. Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck commented on the case, stating, “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.”
In addition to the criminal indictment, at least two lawsuits have been filed by former student-athletes—one a gymnast and another a soccer player—accusing Weiss, along with the University of Michigan and Keffer Development Services, of failing to properly secure sensitive personal data. Attorneys for the victims argue that the breach represents not only a flagrant invasion of privacy but also a systemic failure of institutional oversight.
Shockwaves Through the Sports World
The allegations have sent ripples through both college football and the professional ranks. Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh both described the charges as “shocking” in public comments. Weiss, who once was touted as a rising coaching star, now finds his legacy marred by these serious accusations.
What Comes Next
The investigation into Weiss’s activities underscores increasing concerns about cybersecurity and data privacy—especially within systems that safeguard personal information of student-athletes. As the legal proceedings continue, federal prosecutors and victim advocates alike remain vigilant in their efforts to hold those responsible for such breaches accountable.
The case now moves forward in federal court in Detroit, where further hearings and evidence presentations are expected in the coming weeks.
