A former University of Michigan football coach Matt Weiss has been charged with hacking female athletes’ accounts. The coach, who once worked as the team’s quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator, allegedly broke into their private accounts. Prosecutors say he did this to steal intimate photos and videos.
Massive Hacking Scheme Uncovered
The indictment filed in federal court states that the coach hacked thousands of accounts over several years. He now faces 14 counts of unauthorized computer access and 10 counts of identity theft. If found guilty, he could spend up to five years in prison for each hacking charge and two years for each identity theft charge.
Between 2015 and 2023, the coach allegedly accessed databases from over 100 colleges and universities. These databases, run by a third-party company, held personal and medical information of athletes. With this data, he guessed or reset passwords for social media, email, and cloud accounts. Prosecutors claim he hacked over 2,000 athletes and more than 1,300 students or alumni.
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Targeting Female Athletes for Private Photos
According to the indictment, the coach specifically targeted female athletes. He focused on their school, sports history, and looks. Authorities believe he chose women based on their appearance and athletic background. His goal was to steal private photos and videos that were never meant to be shared.
Shockingly, some victims were hacked more than once. The coach allegedly returned to the same accounts to steal new content as it appeared. Prosecutors say he systematically invaded the athletes’ privacy.
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The extent of the hacking was staggering. Over 150,000 athletes’ data was compromised, and many of them were unaware that their personal information was being accessed. The breach involved not only their private photos but also sensitive medical data and personal records. Authorities said the coach went to great lengths to cover his tracks, making it difficult to trace the hacking activities back to him initially.
The Fallout and Legal Consequences
The scandal first came to light in January 2023, when the University of Michigan placed the coach on administrative leave. At the time, the school’s police department was investigating unspecified computer access crimes. However, the full extent of his actions was not yet public. One month later, he was fired by the university for refusing to cooperate with the investigation.
Shortly after his dismissal, Ann Arbor police searched his home. The evidence gathered during the raid, combined with the findings from the federal investigation, led to the charges filed in March 2025.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan stated that if convicted, the coach could face a lengthy prison sentence. Each count of unauthorized access carries a maximum penalty of five years, while each identity theft charge could result in two years behind bars.
Before his time at Michigan, the coach worked for the Baltimore Ravens from 2009 to 2020. He joined the Michigan football staff in 2021, hoping to bring his NFL experience to the college team. However, his coaching career came to an abrupt end due to the scandal.
Authorities are urging anyone who believes they may have been affected by the hacking scheme to contact law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, as prosecutors continue to uncover the full extent of the breach.
